Alvina Mellinger

Alvina (Liebelt) Mellinger, 91, of Power, Montana, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, December 28th at an Extended Care Facility in Great Falls.A memorial service will be held at Hillcrest Lawn Memorial Chapel on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 2 p.m. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements.One of ten children, Alvina was born March 11, 1920 in Dodge, North Dakota, where she lived until the age of 11 when she moved with her family to Fairview, Montana.On April 19, 1937, she married Chadd Mellinger, in Sidney, Montana, in the same parsonage that Chadds parents were married. In 1938 she moved with her husband to the Fairfield Bench, and in 1944 she and Chadd moved into their present house where they farmed, raised their family, and have lived ever since.She was the ultimate farm wife and mother.When the hand sprinklers needed to be moved she was there with the rest of the family lifting and moving them.At harvest time, she was either in the truck driving or making sure iced tea and sandwiches were always available.She never missed an event her children were participating in and even chaperoned the bus during away games.Alvinas favorite activities were visiting with family, playing golf, skiing, gardening, canning, sewing, listening to music, and traveling. Her travels took her many places, including England, Switzerland, France, Ohio, Idaho, California, Alaska, Hawaii, and Oregon among others.One of her proudest achievements was skiing for 30 years. Even though she didnt take up the sport until the age of 50, she skied on her 80th birthday.She even made a couple of runs down a glacier during a trip to Germany.Alvina is survived by her husband, Chadd of Fort Shaw; her children, George Mellinger and wife Donna of Fairfield, Mike Mellinger and wife Gloria of Belgrade, Clarence Mellinger and wife Julie of Boise, ID, Raymond Mellinger and wife Wanda of Deer Lodge, Judy Foote of Vaughn, Gary Mellinger and wife Johanna of Power and Connie Krusi and husband Victor of Texas.Additionally, she is survived by three sisters, one brother, 15 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.She was preceded in death by a grandson.Memorials are suggested in Alvinas name to the Alzheimers Association of Montana, 3010 11th Ave. N, Billings, MT 59101