Alice Lucille Mayer, 98

Minneapolis (formerly of Winnebago) – The world lost a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and an all-around amazing woman when Alice Mayer passed away Sunday, July 30, 2023. Her compassion and generosity showed what it means to care deeply and love with a full heart. She made a beautiful difference in the lives of her family. Alice died peacefully of natural causes, just two days prior to her 99th birthday.

Alice was born in Albia, Iowa on Aug. 1, 1924 to the late Ruth and Jean Schurtz, spending some of her youth in Webster City, Iowa before moving to Trimont. She attended Mankato Teacher’s College and it was while living in Mankato that she met her loving husband of 61 years, John Mayer.

Alice and John were married Aug. 18, 1946, and after moving a few times with the Chicago Northwestern Railroad, they settled in Winnebago, in 1956. Alice made her permanent home there for 58 years, before moving to Minneapolis in 2014. Alice was a homemaker, raising six children. She was very involved in the United Methodist Church Women’s Group and various community causes. She went to work for Kato Engineering in Winnebago when the children were older and spent many years there as a supervisor, until the company closed that location.

Upon retirement, Alice spent summers at their cabin in Pequot Lakes and winter months in Mission, Texas. She loved spending time with family, friends, children and grandchildren, often babysitting and hosting special grandchildren weeks at the cabin. She also loved to fish. Alice not only caught more than her fair share, but was the best fried fish chef ever. Occasionally willing to be a little crazy, always kind, gentle and giving, Alice left behind a lot of people who loved and respected her.

Alice is survived by her sons: Randy (Kathy) Mayer, Plymouth, Doug (Sue) Mayer, Mankato; daughters: Kathy DeNeui, Apple Valley, Nancy (Tim) Larson, Lakeville, Janice Beach, Ham Lake; son-in-law: Paul Bleess, Atlanta, Georgia; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her dear husband, John; daughter, Jeanne Bleess; two infant sons; sons-in-law, John Beach and Denny DeNeui; and her brothers, Charles and Richard Schurtz.

A private family service will be held at a later date, with interment to follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato.