Obituary of Alice Louise Edwards

Alice L. Edwards, 91, lifelong resident of Oxford died Thursday, February 24, 2011, at the Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Coralville. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 28, 2011, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford with the Reverend’s Edmond Dunn and Harry Imlay officiating.. Visitation will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at St. Mary’s Auditorium in Oxford. Private family graveside services will be held at a later date at the Oxford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Alice’s memory. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Alice Louise Goodrich was born December 17, 1919, in Oxford, the daughter of Charles E. and Mabel L. (Crow) Goodrich. Following graduation from Oxford High School, she attended University College of Cosmetology in Iowa City. She was united in marriage to Harold Robert Edwards on August 10, 1937, in Iowa City. The couple made their home in Oxford where during WWII she worked for her father’s company, Goodrich Produce. Their family grew from two to five in a number of years, her three children, Joan, Connie and Richard remember their mother as an excellent seamstress, sewing most of theirs and theirs father’s clothes. She loved to cook and bake, often sending Harold around town with her baked goods to share with others. In 1962 she and her daughter, Joan opened the Town and Country Beauty Salon in Oxford, she continued her profession until retiring in 1989. Alice was a person of strong faith, living daily her life as a true Christian. She believed in her country, very patriotic, loved her garden, in fact she was distinguished as a Master Gardner. A member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Ladies Aid, one of the two women who established Super 60’s Club in Oxford, many years ago, and it is still doing great things for the residents of Oxford! In her 70’s she decided to attend classes that taught her how to fire porcelain dolls, which she learned with great skill. She then made one for each of her daughters and granddaughters, personalizing each with dresses she made. But if you were to ask Alice, she would say the greatest joys in life have been her family. Before her death, she was able to boast of five generations in her family, a fact that few can ever proclaim. “We love you Mom, You were simply amazing!” Her family includes her three children and their spouses, Joan Rourke Braatz (Gordon) of Oxford; Connie Colony (Lynn) of Tiffin, and Richard Edwards (Janis) of Springdale, AR; 7 Grandchildren, Gatana Stoner (Mike), Terry Rourke (Stephanie),Tracy Colony, Chad Colony (Heidi), Courtney Jensen (Tom), Shalon Robertson and Seth Major (Jessica); 15 great-grandchildren, Sonya Moses (Korie), Brannan Stoner (Kristi), Mariah, Nile and Chase Rourke, Tyler, Madeline, and Emily Jensen, Taylor, Kylie, and Cole Colony, Braden, and Adalie Major, Keyan and Brooklyn Robertson; 6 great-great grandchildren, Ashton Stoner De Groot, Alexis Moses, Andenn Moses, Brogan Stoner and Kalani Stoner; her sister-in-law, Eunice Goodrich of Mt. Vernon, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Harold in 2002; son-in-law, LeRoy Rourke; 4 brothers, Clifford, Charles, John and Walter; and a sister, Jeanette Orr. Alice’s family would like to extend a special thanks to all the fine physicians, nurses and staff at Internal Medicine in Iowa City; especially her doctor of over 30 years, Dr. Thomas Nicknish, and Dr. Chris Donelson; all who cared for Alice so lovingly for many years. Also the staff of Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center for their compassionate care for Alice of the last number of months. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Alice’s family and her services.