Alice Ann Gordon Obituary (1938

Alice Ann Gordon, of Menomonie, WI passed away Friday, Nov. 30, 2018 at The Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie at the age of 80. She died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Alice Ann was born Alice Ann Bechtel, in Stanley, WI, April 24, 1938 to John Edward and Ellen Victoria (Jensen) Bechtel. She was named after her mother’s closest sister Alice, who died young of Tuberculosis. In 2007, Alice Ann’s niece Nicole named her daughter Alice, to honor her dear aunt Alice Ann. Beginning in 1947, when the family moved to Rusk, WI, Alice Ann attended Rusk School and subsequently Menomonie High School, graduating in 1956. She sang in the choir and was confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Menomonie. After high school, she worked for the Registrar at the Stout State University (now University of Wisconsin-Stout). LaVerne Gordon and Alice Ann were married August 28, 1958, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Menomonie. Raised in Rusk, where her father and mother ran the Rusk general store, she spoke with pride in later years that she had learned to run all of the farm machinery. She was a member of Salem Iron Creek Church where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was active in United Methodist Women’s group for many years. As an avid reader, Alice Ann loved the Menomonie Public Library. Alice and LaVerne enjoyed square dancing, snowmobiling, and playing 500 with a card club that sustained its activities for nearly 50 years. Alice Ann is survived by her husband, LaVerne, sister Donna (Gary) Hamilton; brother-in-law Darrel Nelson; and five nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; and sister-in-law Phyllis Gordon Nelson. The family is grateful to the Neighbors (formerly Dunn County Health Care Center) for the loving care she received from July 2012, until her death. The family is also deeply grateful to Pastor Paul Pillman, who visited her nearly every Sunday for song and prayer, and for the many loving friends who visited often and faithfully over the long period of her illness. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 at Salem Iron Creek United Methodist Church in the Town of Spring Brook, Dunn Co. WI, with Pastor Allen Christensen officiating. There will be visitation from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and at the church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Burial will be in Salem Iron Creek Cemetery in the Town of Spring Brook, Dunn Co. WI.