Alice V. Thomsen

 Alice Victoria Thomsen, 88, of rural Olin, passed away at the Monticello Nursing & Rehab Center in Monticello, IA on January 4, 2021. Alice  was born on October 7, 1932, in rural Davis County, IA, the daughter of Ray Ira and Ocie Maude Longerbone McCleary. 

Alice graduated from Batavia High School in 1951, received her teacher’s certificate from Parsons College in Fairfield, IA and her bachelor’s degree from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA.  She married Victor Louis Thomsen on June 14, 1959, in St. John Lutheran Church in Olin.  They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in June 2009 with family, three months prior to Victor passing away.  Alice was an elementary teacher in the Viola, Monticello, and Olin School Districts for 40 years, retiring in 1994.  In addition, Victor and her farmed the family farm for decades, which has been in the family for 118 years. 

Alice loved spending time with her family, reading, playing her computer games, movies, genealogy, poetry and she had a real passion for history.  She was also a long-time member of St. John Lutheran Church in Olin. Alice acquired her dog Chloe shortly after Victor’s passing and Chloe quickly became her new companion and best friend and they were inseparable for over 11 years.   

Survivors include her children, Gary Thomsen of rural Olin, and Terri (John) Kratchmer of Madison, WI; her grandchildren Shanece Thomsen of Scottsdale, AZ, Nicholas Kratchmer of Chicago, IL and Kyle Kratchmer of Madison, WI; her sister Betty Lou (Jack) Pumphrey of Batavia, IA; sister-in-law’s Kay McCleary of Batavia, IA, Pat McCleary of Grand Junction, CO, Marge McCleary of Batavia, IA, Verda Scott of Dewitt, IA, and Valerie (Denny) Hickey of Bradford, IL; numerous nieces and nephews; and her dog Chloe. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Victor; sister Agnes Sickles; seven brothers, Stanley, Lloyd, Harley, Harvey, David, Allen and Thomas; brother-in-law’s Bill Sharp, Jack Zimmerman, Jack Scott, and Charles Sickles; sister-in-law’s Velma Zimmerman and Venita Sharp; and her grandson Zacariah Thomsen.

A private family graveside service will be held at the Olin Cemetery.  A celebration of Alice’s life will be held at a later date when it is possible to gather in a group safely.  Memorials may be given to St. John Lutheran Church in Olin or the Alzheimer’s Association if you so choose.

Dawson Funeral Services of Olin is assisting the family at this time.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.dawsonfuneral.com.

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