Aletta Marie Payne West was born on December 19, 1915. She was the daughter of C. Otis Payne and Oleva Lund Payne. Aletta was baptized and confirmed at Clarkfield Lutheran Church. Aletta and Alfred J. West were married on June 29, 1946, at Clarkfield Lutheran Church. They were blessed with two daughters: Julianna Marie and Marlene Alvina. Aletta attended Clarkfield School and graduated from high school in 1934. After caring for her mother for three years, Aletta then attended Montevideo Teacher Training School, Montevideo, Minnesota, and began her teaching career at that time. She taught elementary classes in rural schools in Yellow Medicine County. Later, she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota. Inspired by her daughter Marlene's condition, Aletta fulfilled a special dream to receive a Masters Degree in Special Education. As a pioneer educator, she became the first state-certified learning disabilities teacher in the Southwestern Minnesota area. Aletta concluded her teaching career in the Marshall School System in 1981, after teaching for 33 plus years. Aletta and Alfred lived at their farm homes around Clarkfield and were members of both Spring Creek Lutheran Church and Clarkfield Lutheran Church. Following Alfred's death in 1981, Aletta moved into Clarkfield. She resided there until 1993 when she moved to Kenwood Isles in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She lived there until 2003 when she moved to Edina Care Center, Edina, Minnesota. In Clarkfield, her church activities included: adult Bible study teacher, bridal show toastmistress, WELCA, Shared Ministries Board, Church Council, and Lutheran Social Service Senior Link. Her community involvement included: Laubach Literacy Program, Library Club, Care Center Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary. Aletta had a lifelong love of music and nature. She also enjoyed co-authoring a book about Clarkfield's history for the town's Centennial celebration. At Kenwood Isles in Minneapolis, Aletta served on the Social and Recreation Committee. She joined Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church where she participated in Bible studies, XYZ (Extra Years of Zest), Prayer Partners and was a great supporter of the CHAT Tutoring Program. She was preceded in death by her young daughter Marlene; husband Alfred; two brothers Sheridan and Orville Payne; and her sister Geneva Payne Emblem. Aletta was the last survivor of the four Payne children, as well as the last living aunt of her husband's (West/Bakken) family. After living courageously with congestive heart failure since 1990, Aletta was called to be with her Savior in heaven on June 12, 2004. Aletta leaves her family and friends the rich legacy of her quiet wisdom, a kind and generous spirit, the gift of encouraging others, an abundant faith, and a steadfast prayer life. Because of her strong Christian faith, Aletta had an enthusiastic love of life and joyfully believed in all its possibilities. Aletta is survived by her devoted daughter Juli and son-in-law Thomas Gardebring; beloved grandchildren Weston and Gretchen; sister-in-law Donna Payne; and many nieces, nephews and friends. A service of remembrance celebrating Aletta's life was also held at Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. We thank God for giving such a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend to us. Blessed be the memory of her 88 years of life. Funeral Service Thursday, June 17, 2004 * 2:00 p.m. Clarkfield Lutheran Church, Clarkfield, Minnesota Officiating Pastor Lyndon West Pastor Bill Wrieden Organist, Charlann Kuehl Soloist, Jean Lynner "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" "Behold A Host, Arrayed in White" Honorary Casket Bearers Darlene Finch, Margaret Walters Becky Hamm, Diane Lange Shirley Shawd, Karen Wrieden Gloria Payne, Jennifer Payne, Sharon Payne Casket Bearers Merril Boike, Weston Gardebring Dan Haaland, Don Hamm Gregory Payne, Brian West Final Resting Place Spring Creek Lutheran Cemetery Normania Township Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota Arrangements by Lynner Funeral Home Since 1891 Clarkfield Minnesota