Alice Melcher

Alice M. (Sorenson) Melcher

Alice M. Melcher, 85, of La Crosse, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2014, in her home.

Alice was born in Decorah, Iowa, on March 29, 1929, to Robert and Delia (Kornmeyer) Casey. After graduating high school, she taught school in the area and married Vernon Sorenson in April, 1947. They moved to La Crosse shortly after that. Vernon worked at Trane Company while Alice raised their five children. Vernon died in February, 1963. Alice married Donald Melcher in June, 1964, and they had a daughter the following year. Alice worked for many years in the garment industry as a seamstress. She was very active in her children’s lives, serving as a Girl Scout leader and volunteering at St. Thomas More Church and School. She was an active member of the Moose Lodge, and served in leadership roles with the Coulee Region White Cane Club.

After Donald passed away in March 2002, she devoted much of her time to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She lived in the same house for over 60 years where many festive gatherings were held.

She is survived by her six children, Ronald (Kathy) Sorenson, of Chandler, Arizona, Joyce (Roy) Stephan of Coon Valley, Nancy (Chuck) Johnson of La Crosse, Amy (Tim) Schick of Gainesville, Georgia, David (Beth) Sorenson of Reedsburg, and Christine Storandt of La Crosse.

She is survived by 15 grandchildren, Patrick (Tracie) and Eric Sorenson, Paula and Jamie Stephan, Keith (Jill) and Nick Molzahn, Kari (Matt) Ordorff, Dr. Jennifer (Rick) Gavin, Dr. Ashley Sorenson, Kevin and Emily Sorenson, Allan (Jessica), Kyle and Sandra Storandt and Sara (Steve)Talbert as well as three great-granddaughters, Hailey, Molly, and Lena. Other survivors include her close friend, Kathryne Humbel, many brothers and sisters-in-law, step children, step-grandchildren, and her dog Peanut.

Alice was a loving, generous, and caring woman who will be greatly missed by her family, many friends and neighbors.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 28, at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish at St. Thomas More, 2006 Weston St., La Crosse. Rev. Douglas Robertson will officiate with Burial to be held in the Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday April 27, at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. South, La Crosse with a Rosary to be held at 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Mary, Mother of the Church.