Alvin Galster, Sr., 75, Dickinson, died peacefully Sunday, August 4, 2013 surrounded by his family at his daughters home, where he was so lovingly taken care of by his daughters. Alvin’s funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Thursday, August 8, 2013 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with Fr. Todd Kreitinger presiding. Interment will follow at the Dickinson Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Alvin Galster was born at New Leipzig, on August 25, 1937, the son of Christian and Elsie (Friesz) Galster. He helped on the family farm and ranch with his father and brothers, where he also helped train horses. He attended country school near New Leipzig.
Alvin married Lenora Schwindt on October 18, 1955 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, Fayette. To this union five children were born, LaVonne, LaDonna, Alvin, Jr., Allan, and Arlon. Following their marriage, he began working for the Red Owl Store in Hettinger, later transferring to Baker, Mont., in 1956. Moving to Dickinson in the mid 1950’s, going to work for Cloverdale Creamery and remaining with them until 1973, when they closed. He began a career in trucking, first with his own milk truck and then for G&G Sanitation until 1990.
He was a self taught mechanic and loved to work on Harley Davidson Motorcycles, always willing to help a friend with their bikes. Alvin enjoyed his many trips to Sturgis, S.D., and many rides with his friends. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer in October 2012. His strong will to live and fight to get to ride his Harley, making two more rides in April and May. Life was more enjoyable when he was able to ride.
Alvin is survived by his five children, LaVonne (Kevin) Wojahn, Dickinson, LaDonna (Jeff) McMahen, Dickinson, Alvin, Jr. (Maria) Galster, Rapid City, S.D., Allan Galster, Mandan, and Arlon (Lisa) Galster, Bismarck; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; three siblings, Ruby Dietz, New Leipzig, Robert (Irene) Galster, Dickinson, and Donald (Pauli) Galster, Dickinson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Reiney Dietz; and his aunts and uncles.
