Alice Marie Leonard Werner, 87, of Grand Island, and formerly of Broken Bow and Anselmo, passed away Easter Sunday morning, April 1, 2018, at Bickford Cottage in Grand Island.
Visitation will be Saturday, April 7, 2018, at St. Anselm’s Catholic Church in Anselmo, Nebraska, at 9:30 AM at St. Anselm’s Catholic Church, followed by memorial services at 10:30 AM. Fr. Jim Hunt will officiate. Interment will be in the St. Anselm’s Catholic Cemetery immediately following the memorial service. Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.govierbrothers.com
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the “Fred and Alice Werner Family Scholarship Fund” at the Custer County Foundation in Broken Bow or St. Anselm’s Catholic Cemetery Preservation Fund.
Alice Marie Leonard was born November 14, 1930, in the family ranch house located southwest of Anselmo, in Eureka Valley, to Frank Leonard and Elizabeth “Lizzie” (Powers) Leonard. Alice graduated in 1948 from St. Mary’s High School in Grand Island where she met her future husband, Fred Werner, a classmate, whom she married on April 26, 1957, after Fred returned from military service.
Alice spent nearly her entire working career as an elementary school teacher in rural Custer County, and later at several private and public schools around Grand Island, including St. Mary’s where she had attended as a student. At St. Anselm’s Catholic Church, she was baptized, married, attended services a great deal of her life, and will now be laid to rest. Alice and Fred were married at St. Anselm’s on the anniversary of her parents’ wedding day, in the same church.
Alice had three passions in life: her family, her students, and the family ranch. Alice maintained extended relationships with both her immediate and extended family throughout her life. She viewed the hundreds of students whom she taught over her career as part of her family, following closely their progress over time, and frequently she proudly discussed the accomplishments of former students. In 1995, she and her husband, Fred, retired to the B-B Ranch on which she had been born and where they resided until recent health concerns.
Survivors of the immediate family include her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Tom and Lynne Werner of Grand Island, a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Dr. John Carr of Avondale, AZ, five grandchildren: Adam Werner, Jane Werner, and Justin, Taylor and Jessica Carr, sisters Katherine Frosh of Santa Ana, CA, Lois Thrapp of Arvada, CO, and several nieces and nephews.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband Fred, her parents, and her sister, Helen Crosland.
