MaryAnn Dorothea Alexander
Sept. 6, 1916 - Dec. 6, 2008
The Kern Valley Sun
Published on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 7:55 AM PST
It is with great sorrow that the Mahlstedt family announces the death of our dear aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, friend and sister-in-Christ, MaryAnn Alexander, who passed away, peacefully, at the age of 92 on Dec. 6, 2008 in Lake Isabella, Calif.
MaryAnn (nee Mahlstedt) was born, the second of five children, on Sept. 6, 1916 in Schleswig, Iowa to Hans and Katharina (Rusch) Mahlstedt. As a baby, she was baptized into the Lutheran Church and later, reaffirmed her faith as a teenager at her confirmation.
MaryAnn's childhood was spent in Schleswig, Iowa, where her mother's large, extended family lived and where her father owned a grocery store/meat market. Later MaryAnn, her parents, and four siblings would move to Gladbrook, Iowa where MaryAnn graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1933.
In 1942, when the United States entered the second world war, MaryAnn and her younger sister, Hazel, decided to make the move to California. The sisters supported the war effort by taking jobs as welders at the shipyards in Los Angeles, becoming two of many "Rosie the Riveters." It was at this time that MaryAnn met, and later married navy seaman, Walter Alexander, a union that would last nearly 20 years.
After the war, both MaryAnn and Hazel found work at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, eventually retiring from the hospital in 1982, after 35 years of service. Two years later, "the sisters" (as they were affectionately known) followed their brother Louis (and wife, Myrle) to Weldon, Calif. where they purchased a mobile home and quickly became welcome members of the community. The sisters eagerly joined the South Fork Women's Club and volunteered at the Kern Valley Nursing Home. As their Christian faith meant everything to them, they enthusiastically joined the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, becoming active in the Dorcas Society and the Sunshine Club.
When Hazel passed away in 1994, MaryAnn continued with her church activities and volunteer work until her own health began to fail earlier this year. MaryAnn now joins those loved ones who predeceased her: her parents, brothers Louis, Orville and Robert, and her sister, Hazel.
Surviving her are her sister-in-law, Carmela Mahlstedt and Myrle Mahlstedt, nephews Robert (Judith) Mahlstedt, Fred Mahlstedt and Gary Mahlstedt, nieces Christine Mahlstedt and Lisa Mahlstedt, great nephews Jonathan (Shalanna) Mahlstedt and Tony Mahlstedt, great-nieces Leslie Githens, Celeste (Luke) Hopper, Laura (Chris) Hubbard and Brianne Mahlstedt, three great-great nephews, four great-great nieces, the Sullivan and Coppola families, and many cousins and cherished friends. The family of MaryAnn Alexander is especially grateful to Frances Wilson for the many years of loyal friendship she shared with MaryAnn.
In accordance with MaryAnn's wishes, a one day visitation was held at Mish Funeral Home in Oildale, Calif. on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. Following visitation, there was a private graveside ceremony and interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif. With a memorial service at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lake Isabella to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in MaryAnn's name to the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at PO Box "S", Lake Isabella, Ca. 93240
Services provided by Mish Funeral Home.
Sept. 6, 1916 - Dec. 6, 2008
The Kern Valley Sun
Published on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 7:55 AM PST
It is with great sorrow that the Mahlstedt family announces the death of our dear aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, friend and sister-in-Christ, MaryAnn Alexander, who passed away, peacefully, at the age of 92 on Dec. 6, 2008 in Lake Isabella, Calif.
MaryAnn (nee Mahlstedt) was born, the second of five children, on Sept. 6, 1916 in Schleswig, Iowa to Hans and Katharina (Rusch) Mahlstedt. As a baby, she was baptized into the Lutheran Church and later, reaffirmed her faith as a teenager at her confirmation.
MaryAnn's childhood was spent in Schleswig, Iowa, where her mother's large, extended family lived and where her father owned a grocery store/meat market. Later MaryAnn, her parents, and four siblings would move to Gladbrook, Iowa where MaryAnn graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1933.
In 1942, when the United States entered the second world war, MaryAnn and her younger sister, Hazel, decided to make the move to California. The sisters supported the war effort by taking jobs as welders at the shipyards in Los Angeles, becoming two of many "Rosie the Riveters." It was at this time that MaryAnn met, and later married navy seaman, Walter Alexander, a union that would last nearly 20 years.
After the war, both MaryAnn and Hazel found work at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, eventually retiring from the hospital in 1982, after 35 years of service. Two years later, "the sisters" (as they were affectionately known) followed their brother Louis (and wife, Myrle) to Weldon, Calif. where they purchased a mobile home and quickly became welcome members of the community. The sisters eagerly joined the South Fork Women's Club and volunteered at the Kern Valley Nursing Home. As their Christian faith meant everything to them, they enthusiastically joined the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, becoming active in the Dorcas Society and the Sunshine Club.
When Hazel passed away in 1994, MaryAnn continued with her church activities and volunteer work until her own health began to fail earlier this year. MaryAnn now joins those loved ones who predeceased her: her parents, brothers Louis, Orville and Robert, and her sister, Hazel.
Surviving her are her sister-in-law, Carmela Mahlstedt and Myrle Mahlstedt, nephews Robert (Judith) Mahlstedt, Fred Mahlstedt and Gary Mahlstedt, nieces Christine Mahlstedt and Lisa Mahlstedt, great nephews Jonathan (Shalanna) Mahlstedt and Tony Mahlstedt, great-nieces Leslie Githens, Celeste (Luke) Hopper, Laura (Chris) Hubbard and Brianne Mahlstedt, three great-great nephews, four great-great nieces, the Sullivan and Coppola families, and many cousins and cherished friends. The family of MaryAnn Alexander is especially grateful to Frances Wilson for the many years of loyal friendship she shared with MaryAnn.
In accordance with MaryAnn's wishes, a one day visitation was held at Mish Funeral Home in Oildale, Calif. on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. Following visitation, there was a private graveside ceremony and interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif. With a memorial service at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lake Isabella to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in MaryAnn's name to the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at PO Box "S", Lake Isabella, Ca. 93240
Services provided by Mish Funeral Home.
MaryAnn Dorothea Alexander
Sept. 6, 1916 - Dec. 6, 2008
The Kern Valley Sun
Published on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 7:55 AM PST
It is with great sorrow that the Mahlstedt family announces the death of our dear aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, friend and sister-in-Christ, MaryAnn Alexander, who passed away, peacefully, at the age of 92 on Dec. 6, 2008 in Lake Isabella, Calif.
MaryAnn (nee Mahlstedt) was born, the second of five children, on Sept. 6, 1916 in Schleswig, Iowa to Hans and Katharina (Rusch) Mahlstedt. As a baby, she was baptized into the Lutheran Church and later, reaffirmed her faith as a teenager at her confirmation.
MaryAnn's childhood was spent in Schleswig, Iowa, where her mother's large, extended family lived and where her father owned a grocery store/meat market. Later MaryAnn, her parents, and four siblings would move to Gladbrook, Iowa where MaryAnn graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1933.
In 1942, when the United States entered the second world war, MaryAnn and her younger sister, Hazel, decided to make the move to California. The sisters supported the war effort by taking jobs as welders at the shipyards in Los Angeles, becoming two of many "Rosie the Riveters." It was at this time that MaryAnn met, and later married navy seaman, Walter Alexander, a union that would last nearly 20 years.
After the war, both MaryAnn and Hazel found work at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, eventually retiring from the hospital in 1982, after 35 years of service. Two years later, "the sisters" (as they were affectionately known) followed their brother Louis (and wife, Myrle) to Weldon, Calif. where they purchased a mobile home and quickly became welcome members of the community. The sisters eagerly joined the South Fork Women's Club and volunteered at the Kern Valley Nursing Home. As their Christian faith meant everything to them, they enthusiastically joined the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, becoming active in the Dorcas Society and the Sunshine Club.
When Hazel passed away in 1994, MaryAnn continued with her church activities and volunteer work until her own health began to fail earlier this year. MaryAnn now joins those loved ones who predeceased her: her parents, brothers Louis, Orville and Robert, and her sister, Hazel.
Surviving her are her sister-in-law, Carmela Mahlstedt and Myrle Mahlstedt, nephews Robert (Judith) Mahlstedt, Fred Mahlstedt and Gary Mahlstedt, nieces Christine Mahlstedt and Lisa Mahlstedt, great nephews Jonathan (Shalanna) Mahlstedt and Tony Mahlstedt, great-nieces Leslie Githens, Celeste (Luke) Hopper, Laura (Chris) Hubbard and Brianne Mahlstedt, three great-great nephews, four great-great nieces, the Sullivan and Coppola families, and many cousins and cherished friends. The family of MaryAnn Alexander is especially grateful to Frances Wilson for the many years of loyal friendship she shared with MaryAnn.
In accordance with MaryAnn's wishes, a one day visitation was held at Mish Funeral Home in Oildale, Calif. on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. Following visitation, there was a private graveside ceremony and interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif. With a memorial service at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lake Isabella to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in MaryAnn's name to the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at PO Box "S", Lake Isabella, Ca. 93240
Services provided by Mish Funeral Home.
Sept. 6, 1916 - Dec. 6, 2008
The Kern Valley Sun
Published on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 7:55 AM PST
It is with great sorrow that the Mahlstedt family announces the death of our dear aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, friend and sister-in-Christ, MaryAnn Alexander, who passed away, peacefully, at the age of 92 on Dec. 6, 2008 in Lake Isabella, Calif.
MaryAnn (nee Mahlstedt) was born, the second of five children, on Sept. 6, 1916 in Schleswig, Iowa to Hans and Katharina (Rusch) Mahlstedt. As a baby, she was baptized into the Lutheran Church and later, reaffirmed her faith as a teenager at her confirmation.
MaryAnn's childhood was spent in Schleswig, Iowa, where her mother's large, extended family lived and where her father owned a grocery store/meat market. Later MaryAnn, her parents, and four siblings would move to Gladbrook, Iowa where MaryAnn graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1933.
In 1942, when the United States entered the second world war, MaryAnn and her younger sister, Hazel, decided to make the move to California. The sisters supported the war effort by taking jobs as welders at the shipyards in Los Angeles, becoming two of many "Rosie the Riveters." It was at this time that MaryAnn met, and later married navy seaman, Walter Alexander, a union that would last nearly 20 years.
After the war, both MaryAnn and Hazel found work at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, eventually retiring from the hospital in 1982, after 35 years of service. Two years later, "the sisters" (as they were affectionately known) followed their brother Louis (and wife, Myrle) to Weldon, Calif. where they purchased a mobile home and quickly became welcome members of the community. The sisters eagerly joined the South Fork Women's Club and volunteered at the Kern Valley Nursing Home. As their Christian faith meant everything to them, they enthusiastically joined the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, becoming active in the Dorcas Society and the Sunshine Club.
When Hazel passed away in 1994, MaryAnn continued with her church activities and volunteer work until her own health began to fail earlier this year. MaryAnn now joins those loved ones who predeceased her: her parents, brothers Louis, Orville and Robert, and her sister, Hazel.
Surviving her are her sister-in-law, Carmela Mahlstedt and Myrle Mahlstedt, nephews Robert (Judith) Mahlstedt, Fred Mahlstedt and Gary Mahlstedt, nieces Christine Mahlstedt and Lisa Mahlstedt, great nephews Jonathan (Shalanna) Mahlstedt and Tony Mahlstedt, great-nieces Leslie Githens, Celeste (Luke) Hopper, Laura (Chris) Hubbard and Brianne Mahlstedt, three great-great nephews, four great-great nieces, the Sullivan and Coppola families, and many cousins and cherished friends. The family of MaryAnn Alexander is especially grateful to Frances Wilson for the many years of loyal friendship she shared with MaryAnn.
In accordance with MaryAnn's wishes, a one day visitation was held at Mish Funeral Home in Oildale, Calif. on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. Following visitation, there was a private graveside ceremony and interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif. With a memorial service at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lake Isabella to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in MaryAnn's name to the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church at PO Box "S", Lake Isabella, Ca. 93240
Services provided by Mish Funeral Home.
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