Name: Alda Wood Date: October 27th, 1925 - June 24th, 2010 Obituary: Mabel Alda Wood was born October 27, 1925 in Onamia at the Wood family farm located on the Rum River (across from Hill’s Market). As a young child, some of Alda’s favorite things were gardening, snacking while picking berries, and driving the mules between the stacks while ‘Pa’ loaded hay. In 1946 Alda graduated from Onamia High School. From 1946 to 1952 she proudly attended St. Paul Bible College where she was being trained to do youth work. Around 1957, Alda went to Boston and did Youth Work. She also worked for New England Fellowship for about 4 years. Alda was always very proud of her affiliation with the Salvation Army – She worked as a Youth Leader and at a Youth Home for run-away girls during her years with them. After her return to Minnesota she worked with the Senior Citizens Centers in Onamia, Isle, Milaca, and Princeton, She sold insurance for over 20 years; and most recently, and most proudly, was in the Foster Grandparents Program at Onamia Elementary where she was affectionately known as “Auntie Alda”. Once when asked which had been her favorite and why, she beamed with the reply, “Youth Work – whether through the Salvation Army or Foster Grandparents. That’s what I trained for. I’ve always like working with young people.” When asked what, if any, regrets she had, she commented, “I would have liked to stay in New York. I was offered a chance to attend Salvation Army College, but I chose to return home instead.” Around Onamia, Alda will forever be known for her crocheted towels. Special kindnesses shown to her were so often acknowledged with her smile and a special towel to show her appreciation. Alda is survived by her sisters Adetha Setterlof of Onamia, MN, and Ayme Cain of Sun City, AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Bertha (Myers) Wood, sisters May Benson, Eleanor Jones, Annabelle Wood, Clarabelle Wood and Veva Wood; and brother, Serphreness “Henry” Wood. Visitations: 2:00PM to 3:00PM on Monday, June 28th, 2010 at Onamia Alliance Church (map/driving directions) Services: 3:00PM at Onamia Alliance Church on Monday, June 28th, 2010 (map/driving directions) Cemetery: Mount Pleasant Cemetery Onamia, MN 56359 (map/driving directions)