Alvin Garrett Gaines

Alvin Garrett Gaines was born on October 28, 1910 in Walnut Lake Minnesota, the son of Charles and Minnie Berger Gaines. He grew up in Walnut Lake and went to country school there. On March 9, 1938 Alvin was married to Ada S. Peters in Walnut Lake. They lived in and around Wells until 1963 when they moved to a farm near Geneva. Alvin worked for Wilson's, retiring in 1972. At the same time, he farmed, both crops and dairy, until his retirement from farming in 1985, when they moved to Albert Lea. Alvin was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a former member of Community Lutheran in Geneva and Grace Lutheran. He was a long-time member of the Eagles Lodge and enjoyed playing his concertina in the Eagles Cancer Telethon for 25 years. Alvin loved to play the accordion and work with wood, building things for his family members. He also loved fishing, collecting and refurbishing old horse collars and other items. He also enjoyed planting trees and collecting coins. Alvin volunteered for the Fountain Lake Treatment Center and always enjoyed the young people he met there. Survivors include his children Joyce Gerald Mason of Albert Lea, Dalores Malcolm of Nisswa, A. Charles Gaines of Albert Lea, and Trina Churchill of Geneva, his special friend Viola Rynerson of Albert Lea, twenty grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, several great great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ada of 49 years, his son Lloyd Gaines, granddaughter Elizabeth, great-grandchildren Drew, Danielle, and Samantha, great-great-granddaughter Claire; his sisters Laura Rudy Schweitzer, Mabel Jack Langenfeld, Elsie Melbourne White, Phyllis Harvey Latusek, Violet Elvin Sorenson, and Fern Raymond Dylla; and brothers Charles Gaines Jr., Wilbert Lauretta Gaines and August Gaines.