Alvin J. Scherping

Alvin J. Scherping 67 year old resident of Swanville, MN passed away Sunday, February 19, 2012 at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, February 24, 2011 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Swanville, MN with Father Ron Dockendorf officiating. Burial will take place in St. John the Baptist Parish Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 P.M. on Thursday and from 10-11 A.M. on Friday at St. John the Baptist Church in Swanville, MN. Parish prayers will be prayed at 7 P.M. on Thursday at the Church. Funeral arrangements are with the Shelley-Gibson Funeral Chapel in Swanville, MN. Alvin was born on March 9, 1944 in Freeport, MN to the late Gotthard &Gertrude (Wolbeck) Scherping. He attended Catholic school in Farming, MN. Alvin was united in marriage to Elaine R. Becker on July 7, 1964 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Long Prairie, MN. He drove milk truck for 5 years in the area along with tending to his own dairy farm at the same time. Alvin operated his dairy farm for many years north of Swanville, MN until 2005 when he began raising beef cows. In 1986 Alvin and Elaine built their own home on the farm from scratch and have resided there until his sudden death. Alvin was a very crafty man, he was an excellent welder and had a great passion for fixing and collecting John Deere tractors. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, bowling, going on four-wheeler rides, and working with wood. Alvin was a man of many practical jokes and he would play them on any of his friends and family members. He also had a large collection of hats, pens, and watches. Alvin loved and thought the world of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Swanville, MN. Alvin is survived by wife, Elaine Scherping of Swanville, MN; children, Dianne (Dan) Fruechte of Swanville, MN, Brenda (Ken) Middendorf of Sauk Centre, MN, Connie Johnson of Knoxville, TN, Juli Anne Scherping of Swanville, MN, Alvin Jr. “Butch” (Bobbi) Scherping of Clear Lake, MN, and Karen Scherping-Hagen of Swanville, MN; brothers, Lambert (Gloria) Scherping of Little Falls, MN and Victor (Linda) Scherping of Swanville, MN; 19 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Alvin was preceded in death by parents, Gotthard & Gertrude Scherping; sisters, Geraldine and Clara.

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Alvin J. Scherping

March 9, 1944 - February 19, 2012