Alice M. Niebuhr-Kraske, age 88, of Wells, died Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at the Lake Shore Inn Nursing Home in Waseca. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Wells. Visitation will be held Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. The Rev. Paul Woolverton will officiate and burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery in Wells. Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells is in charge of arrangements.
Alice M. Kraske was born Dec. 21, 1921, the daughter of Truman and Grace (Crowell) Shellen in Walnut Lake Township, Faribault County. On Nov. 4, 1943, she was united in marriage to Melvin Niebuhr in Wells. To this union five children were born. Alice was a long-time member of Wells United Methodist Church. In 1985, Alice married Orlo Kraske in Wells.
Alice worked locally at Milan Egg Plant and as a waitress at Ligs Café. After her marriage, she worked at Peterson’s Department Store for many years and was a farm wife. Alice enjoyed sewing and loved to go dancing, which she continued until she was 80. She also loved to fish.
Alice is survived by three children: Nancy (husband Lenny) Fitzlaff of Waseca, Penny Broviak of Elysian, Keith (wife Darcy) Niebuhr of Wells; two step-daughters: Vicki (Jerry) Dobbe of Wells, Kris and Bruce Sonnickson of Winnebago; 15 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; one sister: Ruth Colvin (husband Bob Schultz) of Wells; along with many nieces and nephews and their families.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Melvin, in 1979; two sons, Kent in 1991, and Lyle in 2000; second husband, Orlo Kraske, in 2003; brother, Truman Shellen; two sisters, Pearl Courrier and Arlene Whitcomb.