Alfred G. Folkerts

With snow on the ground, on a wintry cold and windy Tuesday, Alfred G. Folkerts was born Jan. 5, 1926 at home in Wichita, located just east of Milwaukie, Oregon. Alfred was born a preemie, just 3 pounds, 3 ounces. At that time, a baby born that premature was thought to be nearly incapable of survival. A midwife grandmother, Mary Wroe, was able to maintain his survival in a house that was still under construction, with only single-sided outside walls except for the kitchen and one bedroom. He was proud of his scholastic record, beginning at Milwaukie Jr. High School, where he received a special Honor Award for meeting all the requirements every quarter in each of five areas, public service, scholastic, athletic, theater, and imagination application. Of the 270-plus students, only 6 girls and 2 boys were able to earn this honor. While attending Milwaukie High School, he was proud to place as the school's number 1 men's single and number 1 mixed-double tennis positions. World War II, however, cut short wider matches beyond league play. Shortly after high school graduation he entered the Army, deploying to the South Pacific as a replacement to the NW local National Guard's 41st Division, 162 infantry, Company A, where he earned his Combat Infantry Badge. He made three combat landings, each in a front-line combat role. One was a first-wave landing for which he received a bronze arrowhead. While on a reconnaissance mission, he and 16 men in his unit became pinned down behind enemy lines and were cut off from communications. He volunteered to take off running past enemy soldiers to secure reinforcements, which led to those 16 lives being saved. He became known in his unit as Crane , because they said he looked like the long-legged bird as he ran across a clearing with enemy soldiers firing at him. He was awarded a Bronze Star. At home after the war, Alfred attended Vanport College (now Portland State University) and Oregon State College (now University), where he earned separate Bachelor’s degrees in Fisheries Management and Big Game Management. He was working for Western Electric installing telephone office equipment when he married Edna Staveland, with whom they had three children, all sons. Enrolling in additional classes when possible, while also continuing to build the family's house, Alfred attained the credits necessary for a secondary teaching certificate. Upon transferring to teaching, he taught physics, chemistry, electronics and math in the Evergreen District. While teaching, he earned his Master's in Science Education. His joys in life included his family, and outdoor hobbies including fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, boating, bird and animal watching, sport shooting, photography, genealogy, plus the challenge of designing, building, and repairing home and farm items, both in wood and metal. His family farm provided the chance to enjoy a number of these interests. Preceding him in death are his parents: Herman G. Folkerts, Dorothy E. (Wroe), and his beloved wife of 61 years, Edna L. (Staveland). Survivors include his three sons and their spouses: Mark A. Folkerts (Sue), Gary O. Folkerts (Deborah), Dale B. Folkerts (Tonya), and grandchildren Lauren, Mathew, Stefanie and Amy. Military burial is at Willamette National Cemetery near Portland, Oregon. No flowers, please.

Alfred G. Folkerts

January 5, 1926 - April 3, 2026