Alice Zuefle, 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 6, 2021, in Boulder, CO surrounded by the voices of loved ones in her final days. Alice was born on November 19, 1923, to Edward and Theresa Petrikovitsch in St. Louis, Missouri. Her parents immigrated to St. Louis from Austria after World War I. The family spoke German when she was young, so she didn't learn English until she went to Kindergarten. She often joked with the grandkids that she spoke "5 year old" German and frequently entertained them with phrases, lullabies and children's songs in the Viennese dialect from 1920. She skipped two grades during school and graduated from high school when she was 16. She was the first in her family to attend college and she graduated from Harris Teachers college in St. Louis with graduate courses at Washington University. She met Lou at Camp Solidarity in Pacific, Missouri with their families when they were both 13. After exchanging letters during World War II, they fell in love and were married on November 30, 1946. Both were deeply involved in their community as teachers and they enjoyed a number of nights dancing in the Casa Loma Ballroom in south St. Louis. Alice was a wonderful Girl Scout leader for many years. The troop was very active with three Dad troop campers for year round camping in Missouri. Lou taught the map and compass and orienteering courses with his expertise as a bombardier/navigator in WW II. The girls earned a 100 mile hiking badge one summer and she said if you had the girl scouts near a boy scout troop they would hike faster. The troop also travelled to Colorado for a week and by train to Chicago. Alice and Lou enjoyed travelling around the US in their RV visiting National Parks and forests, family and friends, eventually visiting all 50 states and several provinces in Canada. They also enjoyed international travel, visiting friends and family in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Anyone who knows Alice knows she was a strong woman -- an intellectual of her time, not wanting to be a nurse (because doctors would tell her what to do!) and instead becoming a teacher. And of course, an adoring mother who brought two daughters into this world, Debbie in 1951 and Tessie in 1958. She and Lou raised them to be independent, confident, compassionate and grounded in what matters most -- family. Alice was never shy about investing in and supporting her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Doris Tangerman (nee Petrikovitsch) and her cousin, Edna Parks (nee Petrikovitsch), who was like a sister. Two Petrikovitsch brothers married two Wanek sisters. Her Mitzi Tante and Joe Onkel were like second parents and as she was growing up in the townhouse in St. Louis, her family lived in the upstairs apartment and Mitzi, Joe and Edna lived in the first floor apartment sharing a garden, garage and yard.
Alice is survived by her two daughters, Debbie (Gary) Corner of Boulder, CO and Tess (Mike) Ratliff of Glendale, AZ. Alice was a loving and fun Grandma to her four grandkids: Christy (Justin) Diehl, Melissa (Jason) Brault, Tim (fiancé Courtney) Ratliff and Katie (Matt) Holden. She also left behind 5 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
We are happy that she is reunited with our beloved Dad, Louis Zuefle, who passed in July, 2020. We smile thinking of her spirit now being with Lou after their almost 74 years of marriage along with treasured family and friends, and of course -- multiple dogs and cats that brought both of the Zuefles much joy. Their days are now full of great mountain views and adventures and lots of barking dogs! We will miss you, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma. Your fierce and loving spirit will live on in our hearts. We love you!
Alice’s ashes, along with Lou's, will be interred at the Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO. No services are planned at this time. Memorial Contributions may be made to The Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) or to your favorite Animal Rescue charity.
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