Alvina (Becker) Mai, a resident of the Hays area for more than 60 years, was born on August 10, 1924, near Ft. Collins, CO and died at age 97 on Feb. 11, 2022, in Kansas City, Kansas.
Her parents were Gottfried and Katherine Elizabeth (Mehling) Becker, who were German-Russian immigrants. She grew up on the family farm near Timnath, CO, the youngest of seven children, and was proud of her heritage.
Alvina graduated from Timnath High School in May 1943, and then attended Barnes Business College in Denver. She graduated from Barnes in 1944, and took a position at Poudre Valley National Bank in Ft. Collins until 1948.
On August 27, 1948, Alvina married Paul R. Mai at Evangelical Lutheran & Reformed Church in Ft. Collins, CO. The couple moved to Logan, Kansas, where they began their life together. To this union two children were born: Kenneth and Janet.
Paul, Alvina, and family moved to Stockton, KS, in 1954, and in 1956 they moved to Plainville, KS, where they lived for 51 years. They were active with First Lutheran Church of Plainville, and also enjoyed polka dancing, square dancing, and playing cards with friends. Alvina worked for Plainville State Bank from 1960 to 1983. She and Paul moved to Hays, KS in 2007. There they were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church, and Alvina was part of the church quilting group.
In April of 2013, Alvina’s husband, Paul, passed away at age 95. They enjoyed 64 1/2 years of married life together. After living in Hays for an additional 7 years, Alvina moved to Kansas City, KS in November of 2020 to live with her son and his wife, and later moved to Providence Place Long Term Care in Kansas City, KS.
Alvina had a gentle spirit and a strong faith in God. She was kind-hearted and generous. She loved cooking for her family, often using old family recipes. She had many talents and hobbies that she enjoyed throughout her years, first and foremost quilting, and also crocheting, various crafts, and diamond painting.
Alvina always said that her favorite activity was spending time with her family. Being part of two large families, reunions were always a special time for her. She was warm and caring, and had many friends throughout her years. Alvina was well-loved, and will be missed greatly by her family. We are thankful for the many wonderful memories she gave us.
Survivors include: son Ken (Sandy) Mai of Kansas City, KS; daughter Janet (Pete) Ziegler of Streamwood, IL; two grand-daughters, April Mai of Overland Park, KS; and Angela (Chris) Bargiel of Las Vegas, NV; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.
Alvina was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Mai; her parents, Gottfried and Katherine Becker; her brothers, Godfred ‘Scotty’ Becker and Dave Becker; her sisters Lydia Schildknecht, Mollie (Blehm) Thayer, Rachel Smithey, and Hannah Mai; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be at 11:15 am on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hays, followed by a luncheon in the church basement. The burial will be at 9:30 am on Wednesday in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Trego Center, KS. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:30 on Tuesday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 10:45 am until service time on Wednesday at the church.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church, 2703 Fort Street, Hays, KS 67601. Condolences and memories of Alvina may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com