Alta Mandt

Alta Marion (Svalen) Mandt, age 101, of Perham, MN passed away on July 5, 2024.

Alta was born on October 1, 1922 in McIntosh, MN. She was the daughter of Clarence and Agnes (Ostenson) Svalen. Alta grew up on a farm and was proud of the fact that her mom taught her how to milk cows at age 5. Alta went to country school and then on to high school in McIntosh. She skipped two grades and graduated at age 16 in 1939.

Alta had an adventurous spirit and went to Minneapolis, MN after high school and worked at Sears and Roebuck. Then during World War II, she worked at a munitions plant in Minneapolis and was the executive secretary to a high-ranking military official. After World War II in 1946 she took a US government test and was chosen to go to Berlin, Germany to help at the State Department (the US Embassy). She helped relocate refugees after the war and also got to do some traveling to Norway, Sweden, and France.

On September 12, 1948 Alta was united in marriage to Sherman Mandt in McIntosh. After they married, they lived in Fargo, ND while Sherman finished college at North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU). Then they moved to Red Lake Falls, MN in 1951. Alta and Sherman moved to Perham in 1954, where they would stay for the remainder of their lives.

Alta's Christian faith was very important in her life. She and Sherman were charter members of Calvary Lutheran Church. She was active in the women's ministries at Calvary, serving in leadership roles. She also served as a Bible Study Leader and Sunday School teacher. Alta was also known for sending cards for baptisms, confirmations, and graduations of all the youth at Calvary. And for years she called and sang "Happy Birthday" to all the members of Calvary.

Alta's patriotism was evident in her life. She was a lifetime member of both the VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary, in which she served in various roles of leadership. She was also passionate about teaching the next generation about patriotism and was a leader for the Junior Legion Auxiliary.

Sherman was a county agent so Alta was very active as a 4-H leader and helped him as a Fair Board Member.

Alta was Sherman's helpmate. She was his right hand through all of his entrepreneurial endeavors, whether it was starting Mandt Tree Farm, developing lake shore, starting a new gas station in Perham, starting the Community Center in Perham or starting the Veterans Museum, Alta was there doing the letter writing, advertising, bookkeeping, and anything else needed to keep Sherman organized.

Alta is survived by her sister Elaine; son David (Sue) Mandt of East Gull Lake, MN; daughters Nadine Mandt of Bemidji, MN, Julie Mandt (Stuart Lusk) of Aspen, CO, and Carol (Patrick) Richter of Anoka, MN; grandchildren Chris (Traci) Gustafson, Nicole (Ken) Allee, Jeff (Christina) Gustafson, Alexis (Shaun) Ruark, Ainslee (Bradley) Krause, Abigail Knudson, Sophia Mandt, Kyle Lusk, Travis (Angie) Richter, Isaac (Jolene) Richter, Roni (Ben) Stockinger, and Jesse Richter; and 19 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Alta was preceded in death by her husband Sherman and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Calvary's Youth Ministry. 

Visitation will be 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by the memorial service at 11:00 on Monday, July 15 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Perham. Burial will be in the Perham City Cemetery.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com