Alta Gaines, 95

Alta Gaines, age 95, of Austin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 31, 2024 at St. Mark’s Living in Austin, Minnesota.

Alta was born at home on April 15, 1929, to Guy and Hazel Yarwood in Lansing, Minnesota. She attended grade school in Lansing and graduated from Austin High School. Alta had many fond memories of playing in the marching band in high school.

After high school, Alta began her career at George A. Hormel and Company. During her 37 years at Hormel, she worked a variety of jobs and took pride in the fact that she was one of the first women to work the “men’s” jobs. Alta made lifelong friends during her time at “the plant” and loved to share stories of her time there.

Alta married Clyde Gaines, Jr. on October 13, 1950 in Clarinda, Iowa. During the summer months, they spent precious time together at their lake cabin on Lake Tetonka, Waterville, MN with their three sons: Ron, Rick, and Randy. They also established friendships with many of their lake neighbors and enjoyed socializing together.

When Alta retired from Hormel, she began working at Echo Lanes in Austin, MN. She also bowled in several leagues throughout the years and treasured her bowling friends. In 2023, Alta placed first in the state bowling tournament for doubles with Lucile Cline and third place in singles. An incredible accomplishment at 94 years old! In 2024, she was inducted into the Mower County Bowling Hall of Fame.

Alta also volunteered at the Austin hospital in the coffee shop, was an election judge, regularly gave blood, and volunteered at her church, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin. She loved to play cards and games with her family and friends. Reading was her passion, and she loved to exchange books with her many friends.

Alta was preceded in death by her parents, eight of her siblings, and her husband, Clyde. Alta is survived by her children: Ron (Kathy) Gaines of Rochester, MN, Rick (Deb) Gaines of Owatonna, MN, and Randy Gaines of Austin, MN; grandchildren: Laura (Josh) Wear, Michael (Jamie) Gaines, Steven (Katrina) Gaines, Shawn Gaines, and Sarah (Sam) Fox; great-grandchildren: Amelia, Ellie, Nathaniel, Addie, Warren, Jackson, Henry, Carson, Ethan, Annika, Molly, and Blake; as well as her sister, Marian Wolfe of California.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to her caregivers at St. Mark’s Living in Austin and St. Croix Hospice.

A funeral service will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Austin, MN with Reverend Michael Olmsted officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, MN. Lunch will be served following the service. In honor of Alta’s 76 years of bowling membership and love for bowling, former bowling friends are welcome to wear their bowling shirts to the funeral to honor her memory. Memorials are preferred, in lieu of flowers.

Alta’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her and loved her. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.