Alvin F. Buening

On June 11, 2016, this world lost a great magician, singer of songs, joke and story teller, artist and carpenter, Alvin F. Buening. We called him Dad and now he has joined our Mom, Dolly (Payovich) Buening. He heard her voice saying she had Heaven ready for him. They married in Red Lodge on Dec. 23, 1950. Dad and Mom raised seven children in the house that he had built. From the seven came 16 grandkids, 20 great-grandkids, and one great-great-granddaughter. Throughout their lives, their home was always open to anyone who needed a family environment or a hot meal.

Alvin was a very hard worker, provider, and family always came first. After WWII, he joined the Army and was in the engineer corp. He served in Japan and helped with the country's reconstruction. After working at the Coke Cola plant and Pierce Packing, he became a maintenance engineer for 39 years at St. Vincent's Hospital.

He loved noise of kids playing, family gatherings, fishing, camping, television, and especially the chaos of holidays. He made sure that, even to this day, all seven of his kids believed in Santa.

We were never short of money because he could magically pull quarters out of our ears or even thin air.

His children send special appreciation to his four granddaughters who met his every need and showered him with love during his last days of his life at his home.

Come join his children and family for a celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 18, at 1920 Robin Ave. Bring a story about Dad and yourself, salad or dessert, and a chair!