Alice was born July 3, 1927 in Emporia, Kansas, to Jacob Carl and Rosa Mae (Rice) Schwindt. She was the third of four daughters; Grace, Rosa Mae and younger sister Clara Ann. Alice graduated from Emporia High School in 1945. She received a teaching certificate from Emporia State Teacher’s College in 1948. Alice taught at Rock Creek School District in Madison, Kansas and later at Scott City Grade School in Scott City, Kansas.
Alice married Henry (Fred) Wilken on May 29, 1949 in Olpe, Kansas. They were married for 48 years. The couple settled in Scott City, Kansas where they lived for 14 years. They had two sons, Gary, born in 1950 and Dale born in 1952.
In 1963 the family moved to Loveland, Colorado, where Alice lived for 56 years. In 2019 she moved to Laramie, Wyoming to be cared for by her son Gary and daughter-in-law Bernice.
Alice was a homemaker, but held several jobs over the years. She worked at Woolworth’s, Scientific Electric and Hamilton Jewelry, all in Loveland. Alice also worked for the 1970 census.
She was interested in local history, scrapbooking and collected cookbooks. Alice also enjoyed hosting get togethers for her extended family. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Loveland. Her friends and family remember receiving Loveland valentines from her every year.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters Grace Van Sickle and Rose Mae Curtis and Brothers-in-law Ralph Van Sickle and Curtis Carlson. She is survived by her sons Gary (Bernice) Wilken of Laramie, Wyoming and Dale (Judith) Wilken of San Antonio, Texas. She is also survived by her grandsons Jacob (Ashley) Wilken, Sr. of Fort Collins, Colorado and Andrew Wilken of Laramie, Wyoming; by great-grandchildren Jacob, Jr., Harmony. Melody and Jeremiah Wilken, all of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Kiah Valdez of Laramie, Wyoming. Alice is also survived by her sister Clara Ann (James) Coltharp of Woodland Park, Colorado.
Due to Covid-19 burial has already taken place at Loveland Burial Park, Loveland, Colorado. A memorial service will be held next summer. Condolences may be sent to Gary Wilken, P.O. Box 932, Laramie, WY, 82073 or Dale Wilken, 1732 Acacia Pkwy, Spring Branch, TX, 78070. Memorial gifts may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 533 Grant Ave., Loveland, CO, 80537 OR Hospice of Laramie, 1754 Centennial Dr, Laramie, WY,82070.
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