Alice Ruth Landau

Alice Ruth Landau died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on March 26, 2019. Alice Balsamska was born on June 25, 1925 in Poraj, Poland to Jan and Veronica. She lived through the German occupation of Poland during World War II to meet and marry Henry S. Landau in 1946. They created a formidable partnership of love and devotion, happily married for 56 years until Henry’s death in 2003. Alice emigrated to this country with her husband and infant daughter, Rosemarie, in 1947. They spent several years in Cleveland, Ohio where they had three more children: Carol, Richard, and Victoria. The family moved to Ann Arbor in 1961; shortly thereafter her husband started his own residential construction company, H.S. Landau, Inc. In addition to raising their four children, Alice was involved in all aspects of their business, from financial concerns to interior design. She taught herself English from books and television, and was also fluent in German. She had a keen and analytic intellect and a sharp sense of humor. Alice was a voracious reader, loved to travel, and always looked forward to having an excellent appletini at Knight’s. She was a member of Barton Hills Country Club, Ann Arbor City Club, and the Monday Knight’s dinner group. Alice found unexpected companionship in her final years with her rescue poodle Martin. Alice is survived by her four children, Rosemarie Landau (the late Richard) Helmbrecht of Ridgewood, New Jersey, Carol (David Ames) Landau of Providence, Rhode Island, Richard (Kristen) Landau and Victoria Landau, both of Ann Arbor; five grandchildren, Stacy Helmbrecht (Charles) Wilson, Michael (Megan) Helmbrecht, Robert Ames, Emily Landau and Alison Landau; and five great grandchildren, Emma Wilson, Sarah Helmbrecht, Kathryn Wilson, William Helmbrecht, and Thomas Helmbrecht. Alice also loved and is survived by her step-grandchildren, Spencer (Theresa) Helmbrecht, Hope (Stephen Krom) Helmbrecht, John (Melissa) Ames, and Nicholas, Peter, Grace, and Alexander Tsangaris, Madison and Mackenzie Krom; and step great-grandchildren Hannah and Jordan Helmbrecht and Julia Ames. She was preceded in death by her sister Jadwiga, beloved husband Henry, and her step-grandson, James G. Helmbrecht. Alice was lovingly cared for in her final years by Jacynth Campbell, Pearl Hoeksema, Rhodene Mullings, and Dorothy Hewan. A private service will be held, with a public memorial scheduled later in the year. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Washtenaw Community College Foundation or the Ann Arbor Student Building Industry Program.