Alice Osterhaus

Osterhaus, Alice Marie MADISON - Alice Marie Osterhaus passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006. Born on Feb. 27, 1916, in Rio, Wis., Alice was the daughter of Peter and Emma Hermanson. She was united in marriage to Austin Stewart Osterhaus on Oct. 26, 1940, in Spring Prairie Lutheran Church, Kaiser. They enjoyed 63 years together and worked as a team until the death of Austin in June 2004. Alice was a wonderful cook and known for her gift of hospitality that was lovingly shared with her large family, her husbands family and their many friends. Nothing pleased Alice more than serving second helpings to appreciative guests. Alice reminisced about a childhood filled with Norwegian camaraderie and home responsibilities; work on the family farm, bread making, one-room school house experiences, snow storms resulting in sled rides and family dinners. Alice was a skillful seamstress and served her church in the altar guild and by creating flower arrangements for events. She and her husband, Austin, enjoyed dancing, fishing vacations and playing golf. Alice regularly canned Austins famous tomatoes and bounty from the garden and baked cookies for Austin to take to friends in nursing homes. Alice will be remembered for her kind and steadfast spirit and devotion to family, friends and those in need. At the end of her life, Alice lived at Chamomile and received loving care and support from staff and residents and enjoyed varied activities. She was preceded in death by her husband; sisters, Carol Harvey, Elsie Hamre, and Gerda Mickelson; and brothers, Selmer, Otto, Harold, and Everett Hermanson. She is survived by daughter, Janet Bittner and husband, Robert of Atlanta, Ga., and their son, Matthew and wife, Michelle; her son, Thomas and wife, Nancy of Raymore, Mo., and their son, Kevin and wife, Mariesa, and daughter, Kiersten Lansford and husband, Todd. She is also survived by her sisters, Sara Ann Selje and Thelma Hurd; her brother, Eugene Hermanson; and numerous beloved in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Alices family and friends will miss her gentle spirit and eagerness to care for everyone she knew. Memorial services will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2006, with the Rev. John Swanson presiding. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Private burial will be held at Roselawn Memorial Park. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 www.gundersonfh.com