obit

Britton, SD: Alvin Storbakken passed away September 5, 2012, at Wheatcrest Hills in Britton, SD at the age of 95.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, September 10, 2012, at the First Lutheran Church in Britton. Visitation will be one hour preceding the funeral at the church. Rev. Terrill Sorensen will officiate, and burial will be in the Britton Cemetery. Price Funeral Chapel of Britton is assisting the family with arrangements.
Alvin Derwood Storbakken was born to Alf and Rosetta (Edson) Storbakken, on August 12, 1917, in Veblen, SD. He was baptized and confirmed at Palestine Lutheran Church of rural Veblen. Alvin attended country school and Veblen High School as well as working on the family farm as a boy and young man. In his late teens, he spent 18 months at two CC Camps, Sand Lake, SD and also in the Black Hills.
On November 11, 1942, he enlisted in the armed forces, spending time as a military policeman in San Antonio, TX; Ft. Mead, MD; and Sioux Falls, SD before being shipped overseas to the Philippine Islands and later in the Occupation of Japan. He was awarded the prestigious Bronze Star medal for ground combat during his WWII service. While on furlough, Alvin was united in marriage to Marie Benda on February 8, 1943, in Browns Valley, MN.
Upon being discharged from the Army in 1946, he attended Moler Barber College in Fargo, ND. He barbered in Abercrombie, ND, for 32 years and was a Clerk of the School Board. Upon retiring in 1980, he and Marie moved to the John Benda farm east of Britton, SD living there until 2005, when they moved into Britton. He was a resident at Wheatcrest Hills Nursing home for the past nearly four years. He was a member of the American Legion and VFW Post.
Hobbies included dancing, boxing, gardening, fishing, traveling and being outside. He enjoyed driving the Senior Citizen bus for several years. Alvin had a sincere gentleness about him that was effortless. Many people have to work at having that level of kindness and compassion, but for him it was who he was. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and playfulness.
Alvin is survived by his wife, Marie, of 69 years; two sons: Ron (Sue) Storbakken, Staples, MN; Gene (Barb) Storbakken, Bismarck, ND; two daughters: DiAnne (Roy) Larson, Alexandria, MN; Deb (Greg) Levander, Bismarck, ND; seven grandchildren: Michele Reese, Tamara Lemmer, Eric Storbakken, Heidi Johnson, Leif Storbakken, Inga Storbakken and Ryan Levander; and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three sisters: Mable Realdsen, Morris, MN; Ruth Nelson, Veblen, SD; Lillian (Erling) Berger, Alexandria, MN; three sisters-in-law: Ruthie Storbakken, Glada Storbakken and Laurel Storbakken and a brother-in-law: Dennis Benda.
Preceding him in death were his parents: Alf and Rosetta Storbakken; brothers: Carl, Leo and Roy Storbakken; brothers-in-law: Tom Benda, Richard Realdsen and Gordon Nelson.