Elvina R. Allan, 82, of Grand Forks formerly of rural Baker, ND, died Saturday, August 28th, 2010 near Arvilla, ND.    Funeral services will be Saturday, September 4th, 2010,  2:00 PM at St. Petri Lutheran Church, rural York, ND with Pastor Douglas Stave officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 7pm with a 7pm Prayer Service at the Nelson Funeral Home in Leeds.

Elvina Rose Allan was born January 1, 1928, the second of ten children born to John and Myrtle (Thompson) Peterson on the farm in Twin Lake Township, rural Knox, ND.  She was baptized and confirmed at the Fillmore Lutheran Church and graduated from the Fillmore High School in 1945.  Elvina then attended Valley City State College and earned her teaching certificate.  She taught two years at the Isabel School rural Esmond.  She married Ira Allan on March 30, 1946 at Maddock.  They farmed Ira's parents farm north of Baker, ND until his death on November 14, 1984.  Elvina continued to live on the farm until moving to Rugby in 1992, then to Grand Forks in 2004 to be near family.  Since moving to Grand Forks, she volunteered for the past five years as a foster grandparent and helped teach reading to first graders.

Elvina was a longtime member of St. Petri Lutheran Church, rural York, ND, where she had served as president of the WELCA and as a Sunday school superintendent. She also served as a 4H club leader and was a member of TOPS.  Elvina enjoyed reading, sewing and traveling.

Surviving are three daughters:  Linda (Obert) Fosse of West Fargo, ND,   Beverly Allan and Shirley Litchy (Dan Kadlec) all of Grand Forks; four grandchildren:  Larry (Kim) Fosse, Steve Fosse, Evan (Katie) Litchy and Betina (Patrick) Dyrud;  three great-granddaughters:  Natasha and Brooke Fosse and Kaina Litchy;  three brothers:  Donald Peterson of Knox, ND,  David (Charlotte) Peterson and Kenneth Peterson all of Long View, Washington and a sister:  Karen (Alan) Crowston of Cavalier, ND;  three sisters-in-laws:  Arlene Allan of Rugby, ND,  Verna Williams of Fargo and Margie Pfau of Denver, CO;  numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, many dear friends and co-workers from Foster Grandparents.

Preceding her in death were her parents;  husband;  brothers:  Walter Peterson and John Peterson, Jr.;  sisters:  Loretta Peterson,  Mary Jane Halvorson and Carol Gigstad.



Condolences:

May happy memories comfort you during this time of great sorrow.  I will always remember the times I took her to her job as a foster grandma. Elvina was a wonderful example of the Foster Grandparent Program with her kind heart. With my deepest sympathy, Myra Hartwig



We were so saddened to hear about Elvina's accident.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as you mourn the loss of of such a special family member.  Out deepest sympathy - Connie Smith & family.



Our deepest sympathy to the family of Elvina Allan from TOPS # ND 221, Grand Forks.  A memorial for Elvina is being sent to the TOPS International Headquarters.     Evie Boushee,  Rita Ahles,  John and Mary Dawn Howard,  Wayne Terrian,  Delpah Berg



I wish to express my sincere sympathy to all of Elvina's family.  I got to know both she and Carol while working with them in the early 1970's at the Good Sam. Hospital.  They were both great examples to me.  I helped take care of Junior while he was ill, and I am now clerking part time for Deb at the Antique Shop so I keep "mingling" with the family.  I have many fond memories of the enjoyable conversations I had with both Elvina and Carol and was so pleased to have gotten to know them somewhat.   LaNeta G. Pieterick



Elvina reminded me so much of her beloved mom, Myrtle.  They had a quiet wit, patience personified, and very caring hearts.  They were "Sunshine" to so many through the years.  Yes, they are gone from our sight, but not our hearts.  We remain with wonderful memories.   Bronald's daughter,  Judy Koppelman