Alva R. Davidson, age 70 went home to be with her Savior on Wednesday, February 22, 2006, after an eight year battle with cancer. She died at Sacred Heart Hospital with family and friends at her side. Alva was born on November 20, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois to Russell and Freda (Zazove) Sandler. \r\nShe lived in Chicago attending school at St. George's until the age of five, and then moved to Osseo, WI, to live with her foster parents George and Margaret Walters. In 1953 Alva graduated from Osseo High School. She continued her education attending the UW-Eau Claire receiving a Bachelor's degree in education, and attended the UW-Madison receiving her Master's degree in audio visual in 1965. \r\nOn August 21, 1964, she joined hands with her sweetheart Willard "Bill" Davidson at the Congregational Church in Osseo, WI. They moved to Eau Claire and remained there all of their lives. \r\nShe taught elementary education at Locust Lane School and later at Longfellow. After her son George was born, she became a stay at home mom except when teaching evening classes at District One Technical College. After a few years of teaching, Alva started a small business selling knitting machines and yarn to the Machine Knitters Club, which she organized and met with every other week.\r\nShe always found time to be active helping others and looking out for those in need. \r\nAlva was very active in the Boy Scout Program. Some of the positions she served included: Den Mother, Post 36 Anishaa Dancer Chairperson, Pathways to Scouting Co-Chair, Cub Scout Round Table Chairperson, and Cub Scout Training Co-Chair for the University of Scouting. During her 32 years of service she received many awards, including the Eagle Claw Award, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver Award and Scouter Key. In 1988 Alva was one of the first ladies inducted into the Order of the Arrow in the Chippewa Valley Council.\r\nAlva devoted a lot of time helping people less fortunate in Nicaragua. She volunteered numerous hours with Bill, who chaired the Vitamin A Project, to treat 400,000 children there. After Hurricane Mitch struck Nicaragua, she collected most of a semi-load of supplies to help the needy. One of her favorite projects was collecting two semi-loads of fabric, sewing machines, flat irons, and notions for the sewing centers in Nicaragua. Alva was Chairperson for the Wisconsin / Diriamaba, Nicaragua Partner project for the Eau Claire area. In recognition for Alva's hard work she received the highest award presented by the WI / NIC Partners. \r\nDuring the past several years she has designed stain glass windows with Bill and their oldest son Larry. Her designs are throughout Wisconsin. One of her most impressive designs is an 18' tall window depicting the Bethlehem scene at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Altoona. Her last creation was of Christ and the children at the English Lutheran Church in Bateman, WI.\r\nSurvivors include her husband, Bill; four children, George (Robin) Davidson of Eau Claire, Larry (Barb) Davidson of Chippewa Falls, Gary Davidson of Minneapolis, MN; and Jane May of Eau Claire; her brother-in-law, James (Marion) Davidson of Santa Claus, ID; and 21 nieces and nephews.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her foster parents; parents; and sister and brother-in-law, Ferne and Gilbert Schrier. \r\nFuneral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2006, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Rolf A. Nestingen officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral Home and one hour prior to services Monday at the church.\r\nFamily requests memorials be directed to Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire, WI 54703.

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