Alva E Hauser

CONCORD – Our loving mother, Alva Edna Hauser, nee Eliason, 96, passed away at Concord Hospital in Concord, NH, on March 21, 2025, from complications resulting from the norovirus and subsequent pneumonia. Mom, as she is lovingly called by her children, Gram by her adoring grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, was born in Flushing, Queens, NY on March 7, 1929, to Axel and Esther Eliason. She resided in Whitestone, Queens, NY from 1929-1950.

Mom graduated from Bayside High School in Bayside, NY, and enrolled in the Flushing Hospital & Dispensary School of Nursing, where she earned her RN degree in 1949. She worked full or parttime at the Hospital from 1949-1966.

Mom met the love of her life, her soulmate, while working at the Hospital, and married Bill on September 10, 1950. They moved into their first home in Bayside, NY in 1950, where they resided with their children from 1950-1966. After Dad retired from the NYC Police Department in 1966, they moved the family to Bow, NH.

Balancing raising a family and continuing in her chosen profession of nursing, Mom worked in the Emergency Room at Concord Hospital for ten years. She was a Red Cross nurse volunteer for blood drives for 20 years, and she occasionally substituted as a school nurse at Bow Elementary School.

The family resided in Bow from 1966-1986. During that time, Mom continued her active participation in Concordia Lutheran Church. Raised as a Lutheran, she had a deep and abiding faith in her Lord. She was a member of the church council, chair of the Altar Guild for 22 years (two banners hang in the church in honor of her service upon her retirement from that role), leader of the Church Women’s Group, and served the church in many other capacities.

Mom was proud of her Swedish heritage, even annually serving Glug, a traditional Swedish beverage, after the Christmas Eve church service. She often attributed her longevity, strong will and resilience (in the face of debilitating injuries and chronic illnesses) to her Swedish blood (perhaps the Glug also contributed).

Mom was also active in the community. Beside her Red Cross volunteering, she was chair of the Women’s Auxiliary for Bow Boy Scout Troop 75, and she worked parttime at the Viking House in Concord for ten years. The latter helped continue her connection to her Swedish roots.

Mom and Dad moved from their home in Bow to a home in Concord, residing there from 1986-2010. In 2010, they decided to move to Havenwood-Heritage Heights (HHH). There they made many new friends and participated in many social activities. Mom particularly enjoyed the women’s chat groups, volunteering at the thrift shop, playing dominoes and Bingo, and getting ice cream at the ice cream shop and later the new country store. She often contributed items to be displayed for various themes along “Main Street” at HHH.

Mom was pre-deceased by her husband Bill of 65 years, her infant son, Thomas, and her brother Evers Eliason. She is survived by four children and their significant others, William Hauser and JoAnn Willemssen of Center Barnstead, NH, Kenneth and Martha Hauser of Whitefish, MT, Nancy and Joseph Standley of Danvers, MA and Michael Hauser and Simone Rueschemeyer of Stowe, VT. Mom was blessed with six grandchildren, Justin, Lindsey, Joseph, Thomas, Marley and Rory and six greatgrandchildren, Camryn, Vivian, Evelyn, Jackson, Landon and Paige.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 10 AM – 12 PM at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 North Main Street, Concord, NH. A funeral service will follow at 1 PM, Concordia Lutheran Church, 211 North Main Street Concord, NH. Interment will be privately held.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations in Alva’s name may be made to the National Wildlife Federation, Concordia Lutheran Church – Worship & Music Committee, 211 North Main Street, Concord, NH or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.