Doris Alfson

Doris (Dahl) Alfson, 92, passed away on Wednesday, April 8 at Ava’s House after a courageous 3-year battle with cancer.  Doris was born on December 28, 1927 in Arlington, SD to Paul and Hannah (Nelson) Dahl.  She was born and raised in rural Arlington, along with her 7 brothers and sisters. In 1947, she was united in marriage to Robert Alfson in Pipestone, MN.  Together they raised 5 children: Danny (Ann) Alfson, Hot Springs Village, AR, Paula (Kelly) Meehan, Hartford, SD, Rick (Karen) Alfson, Madison, SD, Vickie (Michael) Turner, Alexandria, MN and Gary (Susie) Alfson, West Linn, OR. They spent 20 years in Northern CA before moving to Madison, SD in 1968, where they resided until 1979 when they moved to Brookings, SD. After her husband’s death, Doris moved to Hartford, SD where she was blessed to spend many special years with family and friends.

Doris was so many things to so many people. She helped customers at grocery stores and banks. She cooked meals at Hillcrest Elementary in Brookings. She served as an apartment caretaker and took care of the residents and the buildings.  She was lovingly referred to as “Grandma Doris” when she ran an in-home daycare in Brookings from 1980-1990.  In addition, she volunteered at West Central Elementary and Christ Lutheran Church in Hartford where she met many special friends. The number of children she impacted and loved is innumerable.

In her spare time, she was always busy with her hands — crocheting intricate designs, altering any type of clothing, solving almost any crossword puzzle, gambling at casinos, or reading romance novels. Whether she was playing cards, hanging at the lake or teasing someone, one constant was always there – her infectious smile and laugh.

Above all, her pride and joy were her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren – they truly were the light of her life and the legacy she left behind.

Family and friends are invited to participate in a formal vehicle processional from Johnson and Henry Funeral Home in Arlington to Lake Madison Lutheran Church cemetery at 11am on Tuesday, April 14. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date. Cards and condolences can be sent directly to the funeral home, Johnson-Henry Funeral Home, PO Box 364, Arlington, SD 57212.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Robert, her grandchildren (Robert John Alfson and Jesse James Alfson), her parents (Paul and Hannah), her brothers and sisters (Marvella, Hazel, Pearl, Vernon, Kingsley, Paul Junior and Beverly).

She is survived by 5 children, 10 grandchildren (Shelli (Monte) Schraeder, Amy Martin, Paul (Bobbie) Turner, Chad (Marnee) Alfson, Phillip (Megan) Meehan, Christopher (Tami) Meehan, Angie (Tom) Miller, Amber Alfson, Tommy (Rebecca) Alfson and Katie (Austin) Shero), and 24 great-grandchildren (Riley, Karenna and Keahan Schraeder, Jake and Sadie Martin; Erin, Katie and Sarah Turner; Wade and Makenna Alfson; Trey, Ryder and Sydney Meehan; Paxton, Dashel and Nora Meehan; Ty and Addie Miller; Sekeira and Jessen Alfson; Henry, Otis, and Navy Alfson; and Kodi Shero.