Alice Deaver

ALICE JUANITA DEAVER

Cedar Rapids

About two years into the Great Depression, on May 22, 1932, the day dawned in Prague, Okla., with a springtime shower. By the end of the day, the temperature had risen to 90 degrees and Louis and Janey

Alice (Luster) Tomanka had delivered their first child, and only baby girl, into this world.

Alice Juanita later had

a starring role as the big sister to two brothers, Donald Wayne Tomanka and Richard Allen Tomanka. The

family moved to Idaho before settling in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Times were very hard for the Tomanka family.

Money was scarce, help was not accepted, and the family went without. It was during this time that Alice

learned to be frugal and get by on less.

In 1947, when she was 15 years old, she was standing on the front steps of the First Christian Church in Cedar Rapids, when she was introduced to handsome high school senior and watch repairman, Richard Charles Deaver, by his best friend, Ronnie Wright. The two must have hit it off, and Louis and Janey Alice must have approved, because just three years later, on a clear October day, Richard made Alice his forever bride. Richard joined the Air Force and while he was stationed in Casablanca, Africa, Alice stayed in Cedar Rapids waiting for his return. When Richard returned from Africa, they settled in Moses Lake, Wash., at Larson AFB, where the first of their two boys, Richard Charles "Chuck" Deaver Jr. was born.

Richard worked in precision measurement avionics (PMEL) at that time, while Alice worked for the telephone company as an operator. It was through the Air Force years that Alice learned to be independent.

Richard, Alice and Chuck then moved to Cedar Rapids, where he returned to work at Collins Radio

doing instrumentation and, following the birth of a second son, Robert "Rob" Charles Deaver, Alice went to

work for Square D making circuit breakers. It was during this time that she met her lifelong friend, Bertha

Garner. She worked for over 30 years and Richard for 42. They both retired within a few months of

each other. It was through her promotions at Square D that Alice learned to be tough.

Richard and Alice raised Chuck and Rob through the ball games, school, mud puddles, fights, bicycle

flat tires, and snips and snails and puppy dog tails. They had strong expectations that their boys would be men

of integrity and substance. It was through raising children that Alice learned love.

During the early years of their retirement, they loved the hot sandy beaches, vibrant colors and umbrella drinks that were found in Hawaii and the Bahamas. They made those trips with her brothers and their

wives. Then, as a surprise birthday or anniversary gift, Alice took Richard on a trip back to Casablanca, Africa.

It was through their travels that Alice learned to enjoy herself.

On one of their many trips, Richard and Alice traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo., to visit the parents of one of Rob's kindergarten friends. It was more beautiful than Richard could stand he fell in love with the mountains and knew he had to be near that place where they touch the sky. So he decided that they were

moving. Alice remarked later in years that she didn't want to move, but she did it, for him. It was a beautiful

home with a picture window looking out at Pike's Peak and the Air Force Academy. Richard had built a deck

where he spent many a night of his waning years looking at the stars and watching airplanes flying into

Denver. It was at their Pike's Peak home that Alice learned sacrifice.

Then on a chilly day in April 1997, Richard went on ahead without his forever bride. It was then, that

Alice learned sorrow.

Following the loss of her lifetime love, just a few years short of their 50th anniversary, she played

some bridge with a women's club. It was then, that Alice learned to function.

In the years from 1996 to 2000, while her grandson, Michael, was at the Air Force Academy at Colorado

Springs, she sponsored a young man named Greg Voelkel. Mike and Greg and the Cadets spent a lot of time at Grandma's house. It was then that Alice learned to have fun again.

In December 2016, she completed her life map circle and wound up back in Oklahoma to live near her

son in Shawnee, so that he could dote on her and make her feel special. It was then that Alice learned to seek

happiness with her sons.

Alice Juanita Tomanka Deaver died Sept. 14, 2017. This Depression Era baby turned Air Force wife was a force to be reckoned with as she did things her way or not at all, unless it came to the men in her life Richard, Chuck and Rob, for whom she would do anything.

She leaves behind her brothers, Donald Wayne Tomanka and Rich Tomanka and wife, Judy; her sons, Richard Charles "Chuck" Deaver and wife, Virgie, and Robert Charles "Rob" Deaver; two grandsons, Michael Eugene Deaver and wife, Ashley, and Richard Charles "Rick" Deaver III; and two granddaughters, Melissa Suzanne Bolton and husband, Adam, and Breanne Alyce Walker and husband, Cory. In addition, she had those who called her Grammy: three great-grandsons: Owen Michael Deaver, Lincoln Clay Bolton and Sawyer Ryan Bolton; and four great-granddaughters: Michaela Erin Deaver, Charlotte Jacqueline Deaver, Alexandra Paige Deaver and Maisie Charlotte Walker. In addition to Bertha Garner, she had two other close friends she called her own, Paula Carnell and Linda Petroliwitz.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Richard; one sister-in-law, Beth Tomanka; and

two daughters born still sleeping.

The family will receive friends during a visitation to celebrate her life on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 Second St. SE, Cedar Rapids, from 5 to 8 p.m. Graveside services will take place at

2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, where she will be laid to rest beside her groom.