Alphonse Smaistrla

Alphonse Smaistrla was born and raised in East Bernard, where he laid deep roots early on—both in his community and in his career. At 17, he joined the National Guard, serving with a tank armor battalion and earning sharpshooter status with the M1 Garand rifle, pistol, and tank. By the time he was discharged, he had achieved the rank of sergeant E-5. Shortly after, at age 20, he began his lifelong career with Boettcher Hlavinka Company—where he has proudly served for over 66 years.

Alphonse was originally hired as a bookkeeper but soon transitioned into managing the lumber and hardware division. He later took on leadership of the home construction side of the business, overseeing everything from scheduling to site planning—at one time managing up to 25 homes under construction at once. Today, he continues to contribute to the company by managing the public-facing lumber and hardware store, which serves local tradespeople and the wider community five days a week. He also remains actively involved in planning and drafting for new builds and renovations.

Outside of work, Alphonse finds joy in woodworking and gardening, tending to both vegetables and an impressive collection of roses. He and his late wife raised four children, and he is now a proud grandfather to four and great-grandfather to five. Through decades of hard work, Alphonse remains a cornerstone of Boettcher Hlavinka Company, valued not only for his knowledge but for the legacy he continues to build—rooted in family, faith, and a lifelong love of his craft.