Obituary of Alvera Josephine Wilson

Alvera Josephine Wilson, 91, of 3690 Old State Road, Sugar Grove, Pa., went to be with her Lord on Sunday, April 16, 2017 at 1:08 a.m. A lifelong resident of Lander, Pa., she was born November 17, 1925, a daughter of the late Nels and Agnes Peterson Carlson. Alvera was an active member of the Lander United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women and had belonged to the Women's Auxiliary of the Lander Fire Department. She also operated the business end of the family farm. First and foremost, Alvera loved her family. She loved family gatherings and seeing all the generations of her family together. She also enjoyed reading and collecting books. She spent time each day reading and studying the Bible, and had a close relationship with the Lord and loved him with all her heart. Alvera also loved to cook, baking bread and pies for her family to enjoy. As part of the Women's Auxiliary, she cooked enough food to serve everyone at the Lander Fire Department. In the summer, she was an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables, and loved to can and preserve her harvest. Alvera loved all the animals on the family farm, especially her dog Buddy, who was always by her side and her cat, Susie, who cuddled with her on long winter nights. In previous years, she was often found crocheting blankets and making quilts. Alvera is survived by her husband, Henry Wilson whom she married January 28, 1950; and four children: Steven (Patricia) Wilson of Sugar Grove, Teresa (Jeff) Galletta of Russell, Pa., Ronald Wilson of Lander, Pa., and Carol (Jim) Stowe of Russell. Also surviving are nine grandchildren: Dr. Raymond (Ava) Wilson of Hawaii, Benjamin (Lindsey) Wilson of Warren, Pa., DavyJo (Mike) Johnson of Warren, Christopher (Arianne) Stowe of Pittsburgh, Pa., Rachel Stowe and Emily Stowe, both of Russell, Myria Wilson of Lander, Anna (Ryan) Vik of Lakewood, and Sara (Mike) Bogniak of Russell; twelve great-grandchildren, with another great-grandson expected in July; and three great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Gladys Skinner and Linnea Pangborn; two brothers, Grant and Clarence Carlson; and a grandson, Richard Westerlund. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Lander United Methodist Church. Pastor James Stowe and Pastor Mark Hurst will officiate. Burial will be in the Foster Cemetery, Lander. The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home, and for one hour prior to the service, from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday in the church. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Assoc., P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011; Hospice of Warren County, P.O. Box 68, Warren, Pa. 16365; Lander United Methodist Church, 5582 Route 957, Russell, Pa. 16345; or the Lander Fire Department, 4400 Miller Hill Rd., Russell, Pa. 16345.