Alvin Hannahs

Funeral services for Alvin Hannahs were held on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Gregory, SD with Father Jonathan Dillon as celebrant. Music was provided by the church choir, accompanied by Mary Beth Gergen, pianist. Lector was Dave Chocholousek and altar servers were Madisan Graber and Mason Janak. Terry and Linda Bertelsen were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Bobby Soesbe, Landon Soesbe, Taressa Soesbe, Tiffany Good Shield, Jacob Quinn, Jason Quinn, and Jeremy Jacobsen. Interment was in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Gregory, SD, with military honors conferred by the Gregory American Legion and the National Honors Team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Alvin Franklin Hannahs was born on May 27, 1935, to Gordon LeRoy and Delia (Ronfeldt) Hannahs on a farm outside Gregory, SD. He was the sixth of nine children. Alvin grew up in the Burke and Lucas area and attended school through the eighth grade.

After his school years, Alvin worked for various farmers until enlisting in the Army in 1957. Alvin served most of his active Army days in Germany. After returning to the States and being discharged to Active Reserves, he met and married Katherine King on December 16, 1959, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Burke, SD. To this union, three children were born: Kathy Lynn, Kenneth Alvin, and Lana Mae.

After his marriage, Alvin worked for several different farmers, then in 1963, moved to California for one year working as grounds keeper on the Indio Golf Course. In 1964, he moved his little family back to Gregory and worked for Gregory Redi Mix and Concrete. Beginning in 1971 Alvin was self-employed for a couple of years before going to work as a semi driver for several different companies and then as an owneroperator. After totaling his semi in an accident, he went back to hire out as a machine laborer (self-employed). After working part-time to supplement Social Security, Alvin retired from Malloy Electric (farming). Alvin never really retired, though, until his first heart attack. He was always ready to help his children, grandchildren, and sister.

Alvin was the father of Kathy Lynn, Kenneth, and Lana Mae; grandparent of Jason and Jacob Quinn, Tiffany Good Shield, Jeremy Jacobson, Bobby, Landon, and Taressa Soesbe; and great-grandfather to Raymond Anthony Cisnesos, Ashley Ann Jacobson, and Joel Walker Roy Soesbe.

Alvin passed away at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center, Gregory, SD, on December 19, 2022, at the age of 87 years.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon LeRoy and Delia Hannahs; infant brother Robert; three sisters: Bertha Brozik, Vivian Parshall, and Lula Belle Preslicka; one brother Delbert Hannahs; four nieces: Patricia and Sharon Parshall, Shirley Caldwell, and Sheryl Klein; one nephew, Alvis Hannahs; one sister-in-law; and three brothers- in-law. Alvin is survived by his wife Katherine; daughters Kathy and Lana; son Kenneth; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister Virginia Rash of Gregory; two brothers, Vernon of Red Bluff, CA, and Glen (Linda) of Eatonville, WA; and many nieces and nephews.