Alice R. Schanus, age 86, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Praha Village. Alice was born on September 3, 1937, in New Prague, to James J. and Mary (Kubes) Simon. She grew up in the Veseli area, went to Holy Trinity Parochial School and graduated from New Prague High School. She married Marvin M. Schanus on May 9, 1959, in Veseli. Alice's greatest vocation was as a homemaker and mother but she worked all her life in factories, retiring from the Grist Mill in Lakeville. "Idleness" was not to her liking so after retirement, she went to Lonsdale Packaging, where she enjoyed work and the companionship of her co-workers.
Alice was an avid fisherwoman but when Marvin was alive, she would wait to make sure the fish were biting when he went on Tuesday and then she would join him on Wednesday! She loved to read, especially Danielle Steele novels and enjoyed gardening. The fruits of the garden gave her joy in canning, particularly Sadie Dills, the recipe for which she shared with family and friends. Noted for her love of cooking, her granddaughters especially loved her Vomacka but benefitted most from her expertise as an all-star cookie baker! She would fill an ice cream bucket with cookies with the understanding that if the bucket came back, she would fill it again! She enjoyed road trips and shopping but going out to eat was a favorite. She embroidered countless sets of dish towels and put puzzles together. She shared both of these as gifts to each granddaughter. Her last months were spent living at the beautiful Praha Village where she enjoyed her last days. Her soul, however, was all about loving and caring for her family. Her pride and joy was the wall in her home framing her 10 granddaughters and 22 great-grandchildren.
Alice is survived by her children, Judy (Mike) Shambour of New Prague, Pete (Sue) Schanus of Lonsdale, Ken (Laurie) Schanus of Veseli, Cindy Schanus of Lonsdale; granddaughters, Jeni (Ron) Shull, Becki (Trevor) Rislow, Tami (Nick) Kochlin, Kelli (Dillon) Braith, Jackie (Dan) Huber, Melissa (Brad) VanDeBerg, Nikki Geyen (Marty Spanish), Sara (Nick) Novotny, Amy (Brian) Sellner, Ashley Schanus (Ryan McMillen); great-grandchildren, Jameson, Annabel, Jillian, Allyson, Jackson, Owen, Leila, Delta, Sullivan, Lakely, Callen, Jason, Melanie, Miranda, Evan, Nora, Marvin, Vohn, Kylie Jo, Brenten, Kylie, & Aubrey; brother, Bernard (Marion) Simon of Alaska; sisters-in-law, Angie Simon of New Prague and Lorraine Simon of New Prague. She is preceded in death by her husband, Marvin, on April 1, 2015; parents; brothers, Teddy, James C. and Norbert Simon; sisters, Marian Tuma and Sister Bernice Simon.
Private services will be held.
