ALVIN QUIST

With his family by his side, Alvin J Quist, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and community servant was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 29, 2013. He was 89 years young. Alvin was born on April 11, 1924, in Fresno to Danish immigrants who relocated the family dairy farming business from Ferndale, Ca. to Caruthers. When he was nine years old, he was active in 4-H and later became involved in the Future Farmers of America at Central Union High School where he also played football and served as student body president. At 17, he left home to attend college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, majoring in Dairy Science. His education was interrupted by World War II and in 1943, Alvin joined the United States Marine Corp. After receiving his orders to go overseas in 1945, he was given a two week leave to go home when the war ended. He returned to Camp Pendleton to work with returning soldiers and help them transition back to civilian life. On July 27, 1946, he met the love of his life, Mary Briggs, and they were engaged by Christmas. He returned to Cal Poly to take a heavy course load in order to graduate in June of 1947, and marry. Following his graduation from Cal Poly, Alvin returned home to join his father, A.J. Quist, in dairy farming at the Kearney Park area farm they had established in 1933, milking 90 cows and farming 300 acres. He adopted his parent's passion as a dairyman and farmer. However, his main love and devotion was with his family as a husband and as a father to his son Jim, and daughters Debbie and Marsha. He leaves a deep rooted legacy of faith, hope and love, which he lived out through his love for the Lord, his service to his community and the giving of his time and resources. He was a proud grandfather to his ten grandchildren and would always take time to attend their school and sporting events, recitals and family birthday parties, enjoying their activities and interests. Alvin was active in his community serving on several boards of local and state organizations including Fresno Irrigation District; Kings River Conservation District; Madison Elementary School Board; both the Central Union High School Board and the Central Unified School Board; California Milk Advisory Board; Big Fresno Fair Board of Directors; Cal Poly School of Agriculture Advisory Board to the President; Fresno Planning Commission; Fresno County Farm Bureau; California Holstein Association; and the Danish American Historical Society of California. In addition, he was a member of the Rotary Club of Downtown Fresno. In many of these organizations Alvin served in a leadership capacity as Board President during his tenure. Alvin was preceded in death by his brother, Carlton Quist; his father, Aksel J. Quist; and his mother, Mary Lund Quist. He is survived by Mary, his loving wife of 66 years; his children and their spouses, Jim and Lisa Quist, Deborah and Troy Brandt and Marsha and Joel Bishop; his grandchildren, Amanda Quist, Dustin Quist and wife Andrea, Alexandra Bishop, AJ Quist, Grant Bishop, Jacob Quist, Rebecca Quist, Cameron Bishop, Olivia Brandt, Isabella Brandt; and great-grandson, Gunnar Quist. Visitation will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Friday, November 8, 2013, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Alvin's Life will be held at Hope Lutheran Church on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 11:00 a.m. Remembrances to Alvin's life may be given to the Hope Lutheran Church Memorial Fund; the Bethel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund; or the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, School Of Agriculture. Stephens & Bean Chapel, 202 North Teilman Avenue, Fresno, California (559)268-9292