Dianne and Mick,

My sympathies on the loss of your Aunt Alice.  She was lucky to have you to take care of her.  Cheryl Mill

I remember Alice playing the organ for the early Sunday mass at Immaculate Conception.  She was very nice and never met a stranger.  She is now in heaven watching over us all and playing for Jesus.

Alice Ruth Scherrer Life Story

Alice Ruth Scherrer was born in St. Louis on October 10, 1925, the second child of John and Clara (Roesch) Scherrer.   Alice was named Ruth after her mother's sister who died as a child from scarlet fever.

John and Clara moved Alice, and son Alvin (who was a year older than Alice) to Maxville before the children were old enough to attend school.  They opened Scherrer's Storeâ€”a combination general store, feed store, bar, and gas station.  The family made a home in the living quarters above the store.  The third child, Norma, was born in 1936.

As a child, Alice's cousin LaVerne (Gebhardt) Donnelly took accordion lessons and then every weekend taught Alice what she learned at her lesson.  LaVerne was a good teacher because Alice absorbed every lesson.  Alice began playing a child-size accordion and eventually graduated to a full-size accordion.  She became such a skillful player that she was asked to perform on KMOX radio.  

Alice attended Herculaneum High School and graduated in 1943.  It was then Alice decided she wanted to learn to play the organ.  At that time the Sisters of Notre Dame conducted comprehensive organ courses.  Alice took their classes and her proficiency was such that she became a church organist at Immaculate Conception Parish in Arnold. 

Alice was a natural bookkeeper and helped her parents with their business until John and Clara retired.  Alice also worked at the Arnold Savings Bank, which changed names over the years.  After twenty-two years of service, Alice retired from United Missouri Bank.  

She met most of the Arnold-Maxville residents during her tenure at the bank.  If people didn't know Alice from the bank, or church, they knew her as the lady who drove the '73 four-door pea green Chevy Chevelle!  

After retiring, Alice devoted her time to her church organist duties, charitable activities and enjoyed socializing with her many relatives and friends.  She particularly enjoyed the company of her 95 year old aunt, Viola (Kroupa) Scherrer, her cousin, LaVerne, and the ladies from her church.

In 2009 Alice became blind in her right eye and a tumor was discovered.  Chemotherapy and radiation were prescribed to eliminate the tumor.  During treatment, Alice fell at home and broke her hip.  She decided it was time to move to an assisted living facility.  Over the next few months her hip healed and the tumor was eradicated. 

Although she would never regain sight in her right eye, Alice enjoyed watching the birds at the feeder outside her window, attending church services and many group activities at the assisted living facility.  She continued to play the organ and accordion at the urging of her friends and family.

Alice passed away unexpectedly on January 14, 2011.

Alice lived on Ridge Drive in Arnold, when we bought our house there. We were neighbors for 20-25 years, until she moved. She was a very nice lady and we always enjoyed talking to her. We are sorry for your loss.

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

OBITUARY

Alice Ruth Scherrer

10 October, 1925 – 14 January, 2011

Heiligtag-Lang-Fendler Funeral Home

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