Alvin "Alexsi" Currier

Alvin "Alexsi" Currier, of Cumberland, Wis., departed this earthly life at the age of 93 on Monday, October 27th, 2025. Born March 13th, 1932 in Minneapolis, Alvin led a full and adventurous life. In 1956, he graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York and the Theological College of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He was ordained to the Gospel ministry of the Presbyterian Church that summer, and took his first church in Mountain Lake, MN. He was Chaplain at Macalester College in St. Paul for 11 years, and served various other churches in Minnesota and Wisconsin, ministering until 1991, when he was Chrismated into Orthodoxy in Finland, already an accomplished and addicted world traveler.
In 1975, Alvin headed to the woods, and established St. Herman's Hermitage in the hills of Colfax, where he strived to live in harmony with his faith with his feet on the earth. In 1981, Alvin married Anastasia (Nancy) Karis at the Hermitage, and settled there with her. In 1987 they started Currier Tours together, ushering groups through Germany's Black Forest (as well as a few trips to Russia) all through the '90s and up through 2004, nourishing a life bursting with new places and experiences. In 1996 they moved to St. Paul, where they found a home on the same street as the church they had been commuting to for five years, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
In 2003, Alvin and Anastasia moved to Mexico to be engulfed in the vibrant and moving culture there. When they returned to Wisconsin in 2008, and nestled themselves into their tiny Cumberland apartment and their new home church (Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, this time in Clayton, Wis.), they continued to winter in Mexico until 2020, and furthered their travels throughout Europe and beyond, exploring deeply a multitude of places and cultures. Alvin and Anastasia were together for 44 years.
Alvin was a talented storyteller and artist, writing prolifically and publishing eleven books, illustrating six of them himself. His legacy lives on in his books and his gorgeous artwork, especially his beloved childrens' books, as much as in the lively stories he has regaled family and friends with at every opportunity these many years.
Alvin's love of travel took him all over the world, and he spent considerable time in much of Europe, especially Finland, Romania, and Germany (he could read, write, and speak German), as well as Russia. He was an enthusiastic student of culture and a great lover of his Orthodox faith. Alvin loved to help others to discover their heritage, and was always encouraging young people (and old) to travel widely and find their roots, both genealogical and spiritual. He was a self-described amateur anthropologist and lifelong-learner with insatiable curiosity about the world around him, and his travels fueled his passions like nothing else could.
Alvin could never fully give up on 'just one more trip', and could be found wheeling his way through airports the world over up until his last years, one friend or another faithfully tagging along as caretaker and repository for more and more stories. He touched so many lives.
Alvin was a loving and caring husband, father, and friend to many. He is survived by his wife, Anastasia, his children, Cathryn Layer (Ron), Matthew Currier, Richard Currier (Amy), and Andrew Currier (Cassie), as well as seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son, Christopher Currier.
The funeral will be held on at 11 AM on Friday, October 31, 2025 at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 523 1st St, in Clayton, officiated by Fr. Jonathan Proctor. Visitation one hour prior. Luncheon in the church hall and burial in the church cemetery to follow.
Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland, is assisting the family