Alice Geneva Svalina

Alice Svalina 82 of Huron South Dakota, joined her heavenly family in the early morning hours of July 14, 2025.

Born Alice Geneva Olmsted on March 24, 1943 in Merced California. Her parents were Alton George, (Buck) and Ruby Grace, (Barlow) Olmsted.

In 1946 her family moved to Oregon where she was raised and attended school. At the age of seventeen she started her career in health care. In the 1970s Alice lived in Wyoming where she raised her seven children on the Svalina Family Ranch. While there she also wrote comedic poems for the local newspaper the Gillette News Record. She co-owned and worked at Frontierlanes Bowling alley. Alice had also worked part time at the family TV shop in Gillette. After her children grew up, she moved to Huron South Dakota, where she returned to healthcare as a CNA, Medical Aide, and trainer for the Huron Nursing Home, (also called Sunquest Healthcare Center) for over thirty years. She then worked for Homecare Services in Huron, until she was forced to retire due to medical reasons. While in Huron she attended Huron Church of the Open Bible. Alice spent the last few months of her life in Topeka Kansas.

Some of the things Alice enjoyed were nursing, bowling, training horses, music and especially in her later years visiting with friends at the Plains Restaurant. She always talked about her seven children. The children are a mix, but you would not know that talking to her, each one of them is “her” kid. Alice liked working with the developmentally handicapped and the elderly. Her family and friends know she had a quick wit and sense of humor right until the end.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Arlene New of Woonsocket South Dakota and Olathe Kansas.

Alice is survived by her children, Thomas Ronald “Ron” Svalina and his wife Mindy in Gillette, Wyoming, Kelly Alton Niswender and his wife Carol in Campbellsville, Kentucky, Kenneth James Svalina in Gillette, Wyoming, Shannon “Shane” Lee Niswender and his wife Elizabeth in Gillette, Wyoming, Timothy Ivan Svalina and his wife Beth in Topeka, Kansas, Robert Glen Svalina and his wife Heidi in Gillette, Wyoming, Karen Ruby Johnson and her husband Anthony “Tony” in Gray, Kentucky, along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Private services and celebrations of her life will take place. She will be laid to rest in Damascus, Oregon along with family.