Alvinna LaVonne Kjos was born on January 17, 1937, in Kellogg, Idaho to Oswald Jennings and Elva (Johnson) Kjos. In 1940-1941, she returned to Williston with her parents and younger brother Norman.

Growing up, Alvinna helped work on the family farm. She would help with canning, gathering eggs, gardening, etc. Alvinna was also an avid crafter.

Alvinna went to Mortenson School in the country. In 1948, she joined St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Williston, ND. Alvinna later went to Minot, ND, and stayed there during the school year while she attended the Dakota Lutheran Academy. Upon graduating, Alvinna went to the teacher’s college in Minot and taught for one year.

Alvinna met Wayne Martel and they married on February 27, 1959, in Williston, ND. They moved to the east coast, first to Massachusetts, and then to Connecticut. Together, they had 3 children: Anthony Paul (1959), David Wayne (1961) and Richard Jennings (1964). The couple later divorced.

During her time out east, Alvinna first worked for the Lee Family as a cook and a housekeeper. In Connecticut, she worked for many years at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutical company and later went on to work for companies where she would sew, make drapes, and do upholstery work. She returned to doing her favorite things: crafting and sewing.

Alvinna retired in 2000, and in December 2001 she moved to Williston, ND, from Connecticut to become her mother’s caregiver. Following her mother’s death, Alvinna moved back to the east coast and lived with her son, Paul, and grandson, Brandon. Alvinna later moved back to Williston, ND, to live her retirement years. She lived at Bethel Terrace, an independent living facility. In the Spring of 2024, she moved to Maricopa, AZ, and later passed away at Avondale Assisted Living Home. Alvinna was a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Williston, ND.

Alvinna is preceded in death by her son, David Martel; parents, Oswald and Elva (Johnson) Kjos; 3 brothers, Norman Kjos, Genhard Kjos and Floyd Kjos; her grandparents, Olaus and Jennie (Sandaker)Kjos and Norman and Minnie (Thomas) Johnson.

Alvinna is survived by her sons, Anthony Paul Martel, Richard J. Martel; brother, John (Colleen) Kjos; sisters-in-law, Jeanie Kjos and Sylvia Kjos; grandchildren, Brandon, Nicole, Justin, and Keena Martel; numerous nieces and nephews.