ALVIN J PEYERL

Alvin J. Peyerl, 71 a life-long resident and farmer/rancher of rural Penn, ND passed away early Saturday morning, December 13, 2014 at his home in the loving care of his 2 daughters and Altru Hospice. Funeral Services for Alvin will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND with Pastor Joel Brandvold officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 6:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until time of service. Memorials may be directed to Altru Hospice of Devils Lake. Alvin James, son of Xavier and Theresa “Tressie” (Hartl) Peyerl was born on July 10, 1943 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake, ND. Alvin would make rural Penn his home his entire life. He attended school in Penn and through strong determination obtained his GED in 1977. Alvin married Paulette Thorstad in 1960 and they were the proud parents of the four PJs, Paula Jean A, Perry James F, Patti Jo A. and Peggy JoAnn. They established their home on the family farm and Alvin continued farming with his Dad until 1965. Alvin then took over operation of the farm until he farmed in partnership with his brother, John from 1972 to 1994. Alvin was continuing in the farming at the time of his death. Alvin’s top priority was to provide for his family. In the early years along with the grain farming, he raised cattle and sheep. In the winters, Alvin would work for Standard Oil delivering fuel and also for Mike Kurtz. As a sports and outdoor enthusiast, Alvin owned and operated Sports Craft in Devils Lake, selling Arctic Cat snowmobiles, Kawasaki motorcycles and boats. As a young man, Alvin played electric guitar and sang in bands called the “Starlites and Skylarks” and also several other area bands including recording a record when he was fifteen. Alvin enjoyed membership in the Eagles and Elks Lodges, Knights of Columbus and was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church. As a family, they enjoyed deer hunting, the snow mobile club and Alvin and Paulette enjoyed square dancing, weekend summer camping and as a winter pastime he enjoyed playing pinochle with family and friends. In later years, Alvin had come to enjoy woodworking projects and tinkering with small engines and really he could fix anything that needed fixing. And at the end of a day of work, Alvin enjoyed having a few beers and good conversation with family and friends. Alvin was a true steward of the land, a proud and loving father and grandfather and thankful for the blessings of family and friends. Alvin is survived by his children Paula Jean Ann Peyerl, Phoenix, AZ, Perry James Francis Peyerl, Fargo, ND, Patti Jo Annette (Troy) Meier, Devils Lake, ND and Peggy JoAnn Peyerl also of Phoenix; four grandchildren Jessica, Wesley and Allen Peyerl and Nevaeh Jo Meier; brother John (Diane) Peyerl, Penn; sister Helen (Dan) Sabie; eight nieces and nephews Maryanne (Jerry) Sears, Joe (Jeanine) Peyerl, Matthew (Patsy) Peyerl, Sarah (Dustin) Burchill, Renae (Andrew) Arnston, John W. (Naomi) Peyerl, Steve (Melissa) Moser and Stacie Moser; godchildren Angela Noltimier, John Kaeding, Charlotte Kraft and Matthew Peyerl.; many great nieces, great nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and mother of his children Paulette. Honorary Bearers for Alvin will be Ray Kraft, Dan Webster, Matthew Peyerl, Mark Olson, Bill Henderson, Dale Moser, Don Noltimier, Lee Gessner and his many fellow farmers of the Penn Community and his many dear friends.