Edwards, Alice L.

Alice L. Edwards, 91, lifelong resident of Oxford, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011, at Lantern Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Coralville. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford, with the Rev. Edmond Dunn and the Rev. 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.

Alice Louise Goodrich was born Dec. 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 Aug. 10, 1937, in Iowa City. The couple made their home in Oxford, where during World War II 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 their 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, was very patriotic and loved her garden - in fact she was distinguished as a Master Gardener. 

She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Ladies Aid, one of two women who established the Super 60s Club in Oxford many years ago, and it is still doing great things for the residents of Oxford! In her 70s, she decided to attend classes which 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, Ark.; seven 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; six great-great-grandchildren, Ashton Stoner De Groot, Alexis Moses, Andenn Moses, Brogan Stoner and Kalani Stoner; and her sister-in-law, Eunice Goodrich of Mount Vernon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold in 2002; son-in-law, LeRoy Rourke; four 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 during the last number of months.

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 at

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Alice's family and her services.