Sept. 5, 1928 — May 10, 2014

Alverna M. Stroud, 85, of Dowagiac, passed away Saturday, May 19, at The West Woods of Niles.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday May 13 2014, at Clark Chapel, 405 Center St., Dowagiac. Burial will follow at Mission Hills in Niles. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Those wishing to sign Alverna’s memory book may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Alverna was born Sept. 5, 1928, in Decatur, Michigan to Horace and Beulah (Asborn) Zerbe. On September 9th 1947 she married Elmon R. Stroud in Paw Paw, Michigan. Alverna was very dedicated to her family. She loved to spoil her grandchildren. She never met a stranger. A simple walk downtown was always an adventure.

Alverna was employed at Per Pak in Cassopolis where it was frequently said she could outwork anyone 20 years younger than her.

She had a big heart, often taking in the homeless to raise.

Alverna is survived by her husband Elmon, her son; Mark (June) Stroud of Granger, Indiana; her daughters, Claudia LaPorte of Dowagiac, Brenda (Wayne) Westfall of Decatur, Michigan, Carolyn (Gary) Rogel of Goshen, Indiana; a daughter-in-law, Cindy of Lawrence, Michigan, eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; and a sister Mary Ann Barbor of Hartford, Michigan.

She was preceded in death by a son Greg and a grandson Burton.