Mrs. Alvina Anne Schwan

July 31, 2013 Alvina Schwan passed away unexpectedly in her home, just four months after her husband Jim had passed. Alvina was born on January 9th 1937 in Bakersfield CA. to Alvin and Alvera Anderson. Alvina had two sisters Jackie and Joyce their father was killed in an accident in 1941. Their mother passed away in 1949 leaving Alvina and sisters to spread between family and foster homes. Alvina moved to Oregon to live with family, Eddie and Lila Bolter (Aunt and uncle) and their daughters Shirley and Phyllis on their cattle ranch. She stayed there for 2 years and had many memories and stories from that time. She kept in touch with the Bolters for the rest of their lives. She then moved to Santa Barbara and lived with her sisters with her older sister Joyce as her guardian. After being united for 2 years Jackie married and Joyce moved for work, so Alvina moved in with a local family the Cottonkamps working for her room and board. She attended Santa Barbara High school where she met her husband to be, Jim Schwan. They graduated in 1955 and married in 1956. They were together for 57 years. They were married at the Cottenkamps home (Alvina's extended family). Alvina and Jim had three sons, James, Tom and Garry. There was nothing more important to Alvina than family. She and Jim hosted many family dinners, all holidays and most Sundays as she was an excellent cook and loved having family together. Alvina and Jim were true partners in raising and providing for their family, sharing all the duties. They were rarely separated doing most everything together. People that knew them witnessed their own form of communication which was contradictory to their lives and love for each other. Theirs was a story of success in life. Alvina is survived by sons James Schwan Jr. and his son Jason, Renée and baby Ava, Jason's mother Lisa Loch, son Garry and his son Garrett Favre' Schwan, son Tom, his wife Shari and daughters Samantha and Carly. A graveside service will be held at the Santa Barbara Cemetery this Friday 8/9/2013 at 11:00 a.m. Family will be hosting lunch after the service at Harry's Plaza Café, Ranchero Room. Please RSVP if possible at 805-683-5116

Mrs. Alvina Anne Schwan

January 9, 1937 - July 31, 2013