ALVIN J. MUDDER

Funeral Services for Alvin J. Mudder, 91, of Avon were held Monday, January 19 at the First Presbyterian Church in Avon. Burial was in the Trinity Presbyterian Cemetery, with military honors. Peters Funeral Home in Avon was in charge of arrangements. Alvin John Mudder was born February 22, 1934 to George and Elsie (Lippert) Mudder near Tripp. He died peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at the Tyndall Good Samaritan Center at the age of 91. Alvin was a 1952 graduate of Avon High School. He attended Yankton College on a football scholarship where he graduated with a degree in History education and coaching. Alvin was united in marriage to Betty Boepple on June 11, 1956 at the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Avon. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Avon in his youth and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Avon until its closing. Alvin joined the Army National Guard in 1957 and headed to Fort Leonard Wood for basic training. After basic training Alvin and Betty started teaching in Baltic, and Alvin coached the football team. Shortly thereafter Alvin decided to return to school to get his masters degree in School Administration from South Dakota State University. His Guard Unit was activated and he spent about a year at Fort Sill, OK. Alvin and Betty moved to Freeman where Alvin became Superintendent of Schools and Betty taught music. Alvin was instrumental in the district reorganization and the building of the new school, sports complex and gymnasium in Freeman. Alvin and Betty (A&B) retired from Freeman in 1994 after 30 years in Education. They continued to live in Freeman and farm near Avon after retiring from Education. Alvin and Betty enjoyed attending both Freeman and Avon sporting events. They loved to watch baseball. Alvin was a big St. Louis Cardinals fan and they also attended many Twins games. Alvin enjoyed spending time at the farm, tending to Betty's flower gardens and especially being around the cows and planting corn and beans in the Spring with his 1650 Oliver at full throttle. Alvin was a huge fan of History -he talked about his youth of growing up farming with horses and his life stories of many relatives and his life lessons from Avon, Baltic and Freeman days. In his final years in Freeman he enjoyed working with Betty at Fensels Greenhouse. Thankful for having shared his life are his sister-in-law Adella Massey, nieces and nephews and their spouses: Mark Mudder, Mike and Jennifer Mudder, Janice and Terry Smidt, George and Denise Mudder, Joyce and Jay Borah, Dale and Annette Mudder, Jane and Gary Gramkow, Julie Rothschadl, Alan and Lori Mudder, Larry Mudder, Joan and Greg Doty, David and Mary Mudder, Don and Marcia Mudder, Jacque and Jeff Liebl, Julie Mudder, Jim and Samantha Mudder, Jan Mudder, Jeri Lynn and Corey Jastram, Paula and Daryl Weiting, Paul and Brenda Pudwill, Pam Olsen, Butch Hoverstadt; and multiple great, and great-great nephews and nieces. Alvin was preceded in death by his wife Betty( July 2024), parents, parents-inlaw, aunts and uncles, his six siblings and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Roger Mudder, Jerry and Cherilyn Mudder, Marvin and Charlotte Mudder, Shirley and Robert Pudwill, Miriam and Arnold Johnson, Velda and Dewey Olsen; his nephews: Melvin Mudder, Jay Mudder, Keith Rothschadl, Robert (Bobby) Olsen, Darrell Olsen, and his nieces: Charlotte Hoverstadt and Pamela Pudwill. Alvin's witty humor and story telling will be greatly missed by all who knew him.