Alice Bechtold

Last Friday, March 9, 2012 at about 1:00 a.m. the Lord chose to take our mother and your friend, Alice Hanke Bechtold, to be with Himself. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at 88 years old with daughter, Sherry, present. She was at Applewood Living Center in Longmont, Colorado. The day before, on Thursday, she was alert and saw her daughters: Sherry, Karen and Debby; her son, David; sons-in-law: Stan and Mark; granddaughters: Kris, Alicia, Shannon and Missy; grandson, Brooks; grandson-in-law, Ifrain; great grandchildren: Lizzie, Ellie, Matteo, and Rylan. Alice came into this world on March 31, 1923 in St. Joseph, Missouri, the daughter of Joe and Ida Hanke. Joe was a locksmith and bicycle repairman. Ida was an industrious homemaker and gardener. Alice married Ivan A. Bechtold on August 11, 1946 in St. Joseph, Missouri. He preceded her in death on November 9, 1997. She was a homemaker and was known for her love of babies and children, trash collectors and store clerks, gas station attendants and policemen, butchers and bakers…she never met a stranger. Ivan owned toy stores at one time and was a salesman and manufacturer's rep. He was a wonderful family man and a very loving and giving friend. Together they had six children, 18 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Alice was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph F. Hanke; brother, Robert E. Hanke; and twin brother, Fred G. Hanke. She is survived by her children: Sherry (Rick) Gillam of Trafalgar, IN. Her children and grandchildren are Allison (Chuck) Braden with Jackson, Eleni, Trevor, Emma, Charlotte, Garrett, and Riley of Trafalgar, IN. Then Mica (Bryan) Stinnett with Joel, Evan, Noelle, and Jillian of Greenwood, IN. Then Andrea (Nathan) Wagler with Noah (deceased), Anabelle, Reid, and Finley of Morgantown, IN. Then Gabrielle (Joel) Merritt with Jaden, Reagan, Brook, and Chase of Porterville, CA. Then Brooks Gillam of Greenwood, IN. Her second daughter is Karen (Stan) Majorowski of Longmont, CO. Her children and grandchildren are Kris (Andy) Greenidge with Luke, Elizabeth, Jacob, Nathan, Sofia, and Eliana of Longmont, CO. Then Alicia (Oaken) Beeson with Oliver and Rylan of Longmont, CO. Then Shannon (Ifrain) Rodriguez with Jonathan, Elena, Matteo, of Longmont, CO. Her third daughter is Nancy Bechtold of Palm Springs, CA. Her children and grandchildren are Kelly Bechtold of Los Angeles, CA. Then Kaleb Hundley with Laila of Ft Collins, CO and Gevne of Cheyenne, WY. Then Zack Folkman of San Francisco, CA. Her fourth daughter is Debby (Mark) Darnell of Boulder, CO. Her children are Missy and Jessy Darnell of Boulder, CO. Her first son is John (Katy) Bechtold of Mechanicsburg, PA. His children are Hannah and Nathaniel Bechtold of Mechanicsburg, PA. Her second son is David (Patti) Bechtold, of Colorado Springs, CO. His children and grandchildren are Megan (Joe) O'Rear with Liam, and Megan was pregnant at the time with Evelyn, Michelle, and Lucy of Colorado Springs, CO. Then Anna and Kristen Bechtold of Colorado Springs, CO. A Visitation will be held Wednesday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Thursday from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Followed by Funeral Service at 12:00 PM, all to be held at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Boulevard, Lakewood, Colorado 80227. Memorial contributions made in Alice's honor are suggested to Front Range Christian Fellowship, Attn: Shirley, 10667 Parkidge Avenue, Longmont, Colorado 80504. This ministry would come to the nursing home and administer services for the residents. Interment to follow at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80235. Please share your memories of Alice and condolences with her family by selecting the ""Sign Guestbook"" link.