Alvin French, 87, passed away peacefully at First Care Health Center, Park River, ND on October 14, 2023. He was born September 29, 1936 in Langdon, ND to Leonard S. and Marion (Ward) French. Alvin grew up in Cavalier County and graduated from Osnabrock High School. He was united in marriage to Shirley Rostvet on September 27, 1958 at Mountain Lutheran Church, Adams, ND. They resided in Grand Forks, ND until June 1966.
While residing in Grand Forks, Alvin worked for the Farmers Union Oil Company for several years. He also worked for the Grand Forks school system until moving to the family farm where they farmed for over 20 years. He raised small grains and registered Polled Herefords. Following farming, he worked with Joe Zahradka on many local carpentry projects. His hobbies included snow blowing, mowing grass, deer hunting, planting potatoes in their garden, turning lefse, making wooden blocks for the grandchildren and repairing sewing machines for friends and family.
He was a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church of Fairdale and former member of Soper Presbyterian Church of rural Fairdale. Alvin served on the Osford Township Board of Supervisors for 30 years, as well as Our Redeemer’s Church Council, Fairdale Public School Board, Fairdale Booster Club and Fairdale Fire District.
He was very proud of his four daughters and their husbands: Julie Schirado, Glen Ullin, ND; Lori (Jeff) Zahradka, Lawton, ND; Diana (Eric) Graney, Casper, WY, and Karen (Brian) Mullenberg, Horace, ND; as well as his grandchildren: Ethan (Jodi) Schirado, Bismarck, ND; Katelyn (Tanner) Meidinger, Dickinson, ND; MiKayla (Drew) Wyum, West Fargo, ND; Jacob Schirado, Glen Ullin, ND; Rachel Lundquist, Park River, ND; Justin (Molly) Zahradka, Grafton, ND; Kayzanne (Rob) Yarbro, Laramie, WY; Kylie Graney, DDS, Laramie, WY; Jessica (Wyatt) Hansen, Olathe, KS; and Troy Mullenberg, Waltham, MA. He loved his great grandchildren: Caleb and Nora Schirado, Addilee and Stetson Meidinger, Halle Lundquist, and Emily and Baby Zahradka due in December. His nephew, Gary (Sharon) French survives. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Cecil (Bud) French, and son-in-law Jeffrey Schirado.
In spite of his diagnosis of multiple myeloma more than eight years ago, Alvin kept a positive attitude and was able to enjoy many family celebrations, including their 65th wedding anniversary in September.
Funeral services will be Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Fairdale, ND, with visitation for one hour before the service. Inurnment will be at the Union Cemetery, Osnabrock, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Care Health Center, P. O. Box I, Park River, ND 58270 or the Cavalier County Cancer Crusaders through Choice Financial, Attn: Mickey Cain, 210 8th Ave., Langdon, ND 58249.
While residing in Grand Forks, Alvin worked for the Farmers Union Oil Company for several years. He also worked for the Grand Forks school system until moving to the family farm where they farmed for over 20 years. He raised small grains and registered Polled Herefords. Following farming, he worked with Joe Zahradka on many local carpentry projects. His hobbies included snow blowing, mowing grass, deer hunting, planting potatoes in their garden, turning lefse, making wooden blocks for the grandchildren and repairing sewing machines for friends and family.
He was a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church of Fairdale and former member of Soper Presbyterian Church of rural Fairdale. Alvin served on the Osford Township Board of Supervisors for 30 years, as well as Our Redeemer’s Church Council, Fairdale Public School Board, Fairdale Booster Club and Fairdale Fire District.
He was very proud of his four daughters and their husbands: Julie Schirado, Glen Ullin, ND; Lori (Jeff) Zahradka, Lawton, ND; Diana (Eric) Graney, Casper, WY, and Karen (Brian) Mullenberg, Horace, ND; as well as his grandchildren: Ethan (Jodi) Schirado, Bismarck, ND; Katelyn (Tanner) Meidinger, Dickinson, ND; MiKayla (Drew) Wyum, West Fargo, ND; Jacob Schirado, Glen Ullin, ND; Rachel Lundquist, Park River, ND; Justin (Molly) Zahradka, Grafton, ND; Kayzanne (Rob) Yarbro, Laramie, WY; Kylie Graney, DDS, Laramie, WY; Jessica (Wyatt) Hansen, Olathe, KS; and Troy Mullenberg, Waltham, MA. He loved his great grandchildren: Caleb and Nora Schirado, Addilee and Stetson Meidinger, Halle Lundquist, and Emily and Baby Zahradka due in December. His nephew, Gary (Sharon) French survives. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Cecil (Bud) French, and son-in-law Jeffrey Schirado.
In spite of his diagnosis of multiple myeloma more than eight years ago, Alvin kept a positive attitude and was able to enjoy many family celebrations, including their 65th wedding anniversary in September.
Funeral services will be Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Fairdale, ND, with visitation for one hour before the service. Inurnment will be at the Union Cemetery, Osnabrock, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the First Care Health Center, P. O. Box I, Park River, ND 58270 or the Cavalier County Cancer Crusaders through Choice Financial, Attn: Mickey Cain, 210 8th Ave., Langdon, ND 58249.