Alva Carlson-Ehlers

Alva L. Carlson-Ehlers, age 93, of Storm Lake, Iowa died July 5, 2010 at her home in Storm Lake. Alva L. Grice was born on April 23, 1917, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Jerry M. and Lucy M. (Rouse) Grice. She attended school in the Palo Alto Country School and Curlew School. In 1946, Alva graduated from the Fort Dodge Beauty Academy School. She owned and operated Alvaâ€™s Beauty Salon in Newell from 1947-61, Alvaâ€™s Beauty Salon in Fort Dodge and worked as a beautician at Park Manor Nursing Home, and managed Turnerâ€™s Beauty Salon in Storm Lake, Iowa from 1979-1983. On August 23, 1947, Alva was united in marriage to Ewalt W. Carlson at Elk Point, South Dakota. They were blessed with three children: Leonard, James and Layne. The family lived in Newell, Iowa from 1947-61, then in Fort Dodge, returning to Storm Lake in 1979. On July 12, 1997, Alva married Orville Ehlers. Over the years, Alva also worked as a waitress and cook, including four years at the Hotel in Emmetsburg. She was active in the Ladies Aid groups in Newell and Fort Dodge, as well as the Buena Vista County Auxiliary. Alva was a devoted member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Leonard (Janice) Grice of Valencia, California; James Carlson of San Francisco, California; and Layne (Judy) Carlson of Hortonville, Wisconsin; five grandchildren: Steven (Janice) Grice, Michael (Elane) Grice, Chad (Lisa) Carlson, Tonia (Den) Josifovich and Steven Carlson; great-grandchildren: Zoe Grice, Skyler Lind, Jason and Jeremy Grice, Sawyer, Carter and Delaney Carlson; one sister, Pauline Sansen of Storm Lake; step-children: Connie (Melvin) Easter of Somers, Iowa; Ilon (Jon) Negus of Sutherland, Iowa and Orlan Ehlers of Laurens, Iowa; step-grandchildren: Jennifer (Jeremy) Blake, Jodie and Cellie Easter; Heath, Karleen and Sean Negus; as well as extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ewalt Carlson on June 1, 1993; two brothers: Glen and Wallace; three sisters: Dolly (Izora) Hagert, Ruth Tyge and Lucille Vanderhoff; and her second husband, Orville Ehlers.

Alva Carlson-Ehlers

April 23, 1917 - July 5, 2010