Iva Grace Vanalstine

Was born to Lynn C. and Grace I. Austin Vary on May 14, 1915, in Denmark, Lewis County, New York.

Iva was preceded in death by husband Harold Everett VanAlstine, sisters: Avis Curley and Ada Hutchins, brother: Lyle Vary, sons: William Arthur VanAlstine, Sr. and Earl Russell (Rusty) VanAlstine, and grandsons: Donald John Glen Kitching and John Everett Mullis.

She is survived by four of her six children: Marcia Kitching of Richmond, Ontario, Canada; Nancy Mullis of Laurel, MD, Walter VanAlstine, Sr. of Savage, MD, and Sharon Sheppard of Maryland City, MD, and by her 24 Grand-children, 22 Great Grand-children, and 11 Great Great Grand-children which are scattered from Alaska to Florida.

During World War II she was a Rosie-the-Riveter working as a drill press operator making guns at Remington Arms in Ilion, New York. She was honored to receive a "the Power of You" Certificate of Achievement for her contributions as a Rosie from the National Business Women's Week in 2012. In 1946 she traveled by ship to Germany with her six young children to join her husband who was serving in the US Army during the US Occupation of Germany. She accompanied her husband on another tour of duty in Berlin, Germany, in 1965-66 and did a tour of duty at Fort Churchill, Manitoba, Canada in the early 1950's. Iva had a busy life raising her six children and was known by many during the 17 years that she worked as a waitress at Laurel Diner. She made her home on or near many Army bases including the Walter Reed Medical Center in DC. During her husband's tour of duty at Walter Reed she helped build the home in Laurel, Maryland, where they ultimately decided to spend their retirement years.

Our loving Mother, Grandmother and dear friend will be greatly missed.