Alvina Norley - Friends say her second name is 'Generous'
Tue, 09/10/2019 - 1:03pm
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By:
Karen Edelbach
"I just loved being on the farm, and I loved to work," says Alvina Norley who grew up south of Bagley where she and her siblings, 11 in all, worked hard and did everything they could on the farm to help their parents, Ole and Marie Anderson.
"My dad cleared 125 acres with a bow saw and an ax. We didn't have electricity, so used kerosene lamps in those days. We helped thrash, shock the grain, herd the cattle and kept up the yard. And neighbors were so good to each other."
"Now people don't get along. There is not enough love anymore with people killing each other. It's just like the devil took over," she says. "I try to love everybody, and I get along with most everybody. I've got a lot of friends."
"I'm glad I've lived when I've lived. It was a wonderful life."
"There are only four left out of 11 kids in my family, but I got the best memory of them all, just like mother. I had a twin brother, who died right after he was born. Mother was 96, and dad 92 when they died."
Her brother Milo, who lives near Bagley, looks out for her and calls her regularly. "He worries about me. He's only 92." "She looks out for the rest of us nieces and nephews," says her niece, Tamara Edevold. "She is quite a character."
"My husband was Jens Norley. We met at a dance one Saturday night when I was young, and married on Nov. 21, 1942. We owned and ran the 'Friendly Cafe' in Clearbrook from 1971-1974, which later was 'Pat's Cafe'. I made everything homemade, did all my own cooking and baking. When the crews from Arctic
Cat and the Chicago Bridge and Iron Workers came in, they said, 'We never had such good food.'"
Jens drove school bus, bartended, and was listed as a town cop in Clearbrook records, and another source says he was Chief of Police during the early 1970s.
Jens passed away from heart trouble on Alvina's birthday after 52 years of marriage.
"It's not everybody who gets birthday cards and sympathy cards on the same day," Alvina recalls.
Alvina attended District 9 School south of Bagley and was in high school when she developed some serious health difficulties. That ended her schooling before she could graduate, and left her without the expectation of ever having children.
"But after seven years of marriage, our son Alvin was born. He was a miracle! He was our only child."
Alvina's greatest desire in her life is to be reunited with her son again.
"I have two grandchildren, and there are several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren too. I'd like to get to know all my grandchildren."
She fondly reminisces about the many travels and adventures she and Jens took, often driving to Portland, Seattle and Longville, Washington areas. Some of their best friends had moved out to Portland. She's also been to Cape Canaveral, Florida to the Kennedy Space Center, and Orlando; and Dawson Creek in Canada.
"I've driven to Elkhart, Indiana and St. Joe, Michigan over the Mackinaw Bridge where I had sisters living. And I've never had an accident all the years I was driving!" she is proud to say.
After Jens passed away, Alvina moved back to Bagley. She did ironing for many working women in Bagley for five years. She began making quilts after she retired, and boasts creating a whopping 260 quilts, most tied by hand. She sold about half of them, and has given many to family members, friends, and those in need over the years. Alvina also repaired aging quilts for others, and says there was one promise made which she hasn't been able to keep that she still feels bad about.
She received a request to repair a quilt that was the only treasure from the grandmother of a Bemidji lawyer. She was excited and looked forward to fulfilling the request. But before it could be repaired, the quilt was misplaced and never reached Alvina's willing hands.
Poor eyesight now hinders Alvina from driving and making quilts any longer.
"I just loved doing all that work," she says, " but my eyes just aren't good enough anymore. It's hard for me to read, but I got a reading machine so I can still read on that."
As her age has crept up on her, Alvina settled into the Parkview Apartments which has been home for the last six years. One of her favorite desserts is called Frog Eye Salad. While it the name may sound distasteful, Alvina will assure you that this is a tasty treat. Really, it is a fruit salad made with a pasta or tapioca.
"I baked bread until I was 90. After moving to Parkview, I began canning jellies of raspberry, apricot, cherry and strawberry-rhubarb." These also are given away more than eaten herself.
Alvina says she doesn't have a middle name, "So my friends started saying my second name is 'Generous'. I like to give things away and help people while I'm alive. You can't take it with you! I love people, and it helps me feel good when I can do something for somebody."
Health challenges continue to cause her problems with walking as well, but her doctor is amazed at her ability to endure her hardships.
"Whatever you are doing, keep on doing it. You are 95 going on 73!" Dr. Christiansen says.
"I have my problems, but I am thankful for my life. I visit a lot with friends, play cards, and the time goes by. The older I get, the faster it seems to go." She treasures those times when she can visit and do something.
"I sometimes wish I was back in the '70s when I could do more. I like to do things."
In September, Alvina's friend Lou is going to take her to Deer River, Minnesota for a wedding. She is greatly looking forward to that trip. She'd like to do more traveling if she were able.
Alvina will be 96 on October 4th.
"Be yourself, be generous and helpful, believe in God and do what your heart tells you to do," is her philosophy of life. "Be honest with others, and do the best you can."
Psalm 23 is one of her favorite chapters in the Bible, and this is a quote she heard long ago:
"Do all you can with all your might,
Things done by halves are never right!"
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures,
He restores my soul.
He leads me beside the still waters,
He restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
Shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For you art with me.
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
In the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil,
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever.