Krebs, Alvin P.

Andrew Hickey.

Alvin was born July 24, 1920, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Carl and Lydia (Troester) Krebs. He attended Edgewood School and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1936. Alvin joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942, although he was honorably discharged due to complications from rheumatic fever and not able to join his platoon in combat in the Pacific.

He married Ruth Ann Stout on May 1, 1943, in Iowa City. Together they, along with son, Brian, daughter-in-law, Diane, and other family members were the third generation of Krebs' Greenhouse, which began business as Rose Hill Gardens in 1874. Their hard work and dedication to the family business touched the community for many decades, until closing in 2003. Alvin's long rows of carefully grown carnations and snapdragons were a sight to behold. As he would step back from a completed floral arrangement, he always seemed to decide there was room for a couple extra carnations.

Alvin also loved aviation, and soloed as a pilot. He was a member of First Lutheran Church. A lifelong golf fan, we know he is now at peace, watching a match, and hoping for another victory from Phil or Zach.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Krebs; sister, Eloise Jones; daughter, Paula Krebs; son-in-law, Gordon Wilhelm; and granddaughters, Bethany Redlinger and Sarah Wilhelm.

Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church or the American Cancer Society.

Please sign the online guest book and share a memory about Alvin at

Published Jan. 13, 2012, in The Gazette