Alvera M. Irvine
Alvera M. Irvine, age 91, of Grand Island, died Saturday, December 4, 2021, at CHI Health St. Francis.
Mass of Christian burial was held Friday, December 10, 2021, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. The Reverend Thomas Vijumon Choorackal was the celebrant. Interment was in Grand Island’s Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the family’s choice or St. Mary’s Cathedral. You are encouraged to sign Alvera’s guestbook at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under her obituary. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family.
Alvera was born January 17, 1930, at Grand Island. She is the daughter of Michael and Rose (Krings) Dreher. She grew up in Omaha, until moving with her family to Grand Island in 1940. She attended St. Mary’s High School, graduating in 1948. While in high school she was employed at the Capital Theater and Grand Theater. After graduation she began working at Woolworth and later Hesteads.
She married DeVon “Don” R. Irvine on February 6, 1954, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island. They made their home in Grand Island. She had an in-home daycare for multiple families for many years. Then she was a seamstress for Geer Mobile Homes. In 1975 she began working at Miller and Payne as a seamstress/alterations person and continued working there when Dillard’s purchased the store. She retired in 1990 after 15 years of service. In retirement Alvera was a selfemployed seamstress, altering and mending for many in the comfort of her home. Mr. Irvine died on May 10, 1978.
Alvera enjoyed her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren as well as sewing, cross-stitching, cooking, and baking. This past summer, for the first time she exhibited at the state fair, she received numerous ribbons for her cross-stitch entries and was recognized for her excellent exhibits. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were recipients of many of her loving works of handstitched art. Alvera loved the company of her family and enjoyed following her grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s activities.
Alvera was a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Cathedral Ladies, and was a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound and nursing homes, and a member of the G.I. Rock Club.
Alvera is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Donald (Pat) Irvine, of Cairo, and Martin (Wendy) Irvine, of Grand Island; two daughters and a son-in-law, Carol Thomsen, of St. Paul, and Deborah (Todd) Hillis, of Grand Island; sister-in-law, Betty Dreher, of Grand Island; 12 grandchildren, Eric, Dustin, Cassandra, Heather, Breanna, Jacob, Danielle, Jayne, Christopher, Michael, Mary, and Michelle; and 19 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don; one sister, Rosella McCoy; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Morris Dreher, Elmer and Mary Dreher, Robert and Sue Dreher.