Alfred Letvin, 87, of Butte, passed away Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at the Souris Valley Care Center in Velva.

Alfred Letvin, son of Daniel and Anna (Moseanko) Letvin, was born July 25, 1922, on his parents' farm near Kief, where he grew up and began assisting with the farming operation at an early age. He received his education in the area country school and later Kief High School.

In April 1944, he entered the Army and served his country during World War II. He served in the Rhineland of central Europe and later in England, France and Germany. On May 5, 1945, he was wounded by mine shrapnel near Berlin, Germany. He was transferred back to the U.S., where he spent the following year in many hospitals recovering from his injuries. He received a Purple Heart as well as several other medals for his service. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to the family farm near Kief.

On Jan. 25, 1948, Alfred was united in marriage to Ruth Miller. They began their life together on the Letvin farm near Kief, where they farmed and were blessed with their first two children, Ronald and Kathleen. In the early 1950s they moved to a farm in the Butte area and were soon blessed with their younger children, Greg and Rick. Alfred loved farming, and although he retired in his later years, he remained active in farming.

Alfred was very active in community affairs. He served on a number of boards including the Butte School Board for 19 years, the McLean County Electric Board, Butte Elevator Board, a township board and Farmers Union Board. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Butte, where he served on the church council and sang in the church choir. He was a member and past commander of the Lawrence E. Meidl American Legion Post #270 of Butte and received recognition for 50 years of continuous membership. He was also a life member of the VFW, a member of the World War II Last Man's Club, the 40 et 8 club, a former member of the Eagles Aerie and the Butte Men's Choir. He was instrumental in the organization of the local Boy Scouts, 4-H and American Legion Baseball programs.

Alfred was an avid sports enthusiast. He enjoyed bowling, hunting, especially in the Badlands, and his fishing trips to Canada.

He is survived by: his wife, Ruth; his daughter, Kathleen Hemmesch of West Burlington, Iowa; two sons, Ronald Letvin, of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Greg (Julie) Letvin, of Lockridge, Iowa; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Alvina Hystad, of Jamestown; and brother, Daniel (Marian) Letvin, of Kief.

He was preceded in death by his son, Rick; his parents; and three brothers, Daniel at an early age, George and Andrew.

Funeral: Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at 11 a.m. in St. Paul Lutheran Church in Butte.

Visitation: Today, Jan. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Bethke-Nelson Funeral Home in Drake.

Burial: Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Minot.