Alice E. Eickstedt

Alice Eva Eickstedt passed away peacefully and entered her heavenly home on Friday, October 30, 2015. She died of cancer at the age of 88 at Stonehaven in Grafton where she was a resident for the past 3-1/2 years. Alice was born November 6, 1926, in Grafton to George and Emma (nee Parnitzke) Merzdorf. She had two older sisters, Lenore (Frank) Brophy and Loretta (Anthony) Becker, both deceased. She attended elementary school in Grafton and graduated from Grafton High School in June, 1944. Alice was united in marriage to Norman G. Eickstedt on August 30, 1947, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedarburg. Alice also worked as an office secretary at the Gilbert Shoe Company in Thiensville for many years. After living with Alice’s mother the first five years of their marriage, she and Norman built their first home in the village of Grafton. Alice has lived in the Grafton – Cedarburg area her entire life. Alice and Norman were blessed with the birth of their only daughter, Eva Jane, on January 8, 1959. Unfortunately, Eva was diagnosed with M.S. during her high school years. Her disease became very debilitating and for the next twenty years, until Eva’s death in 1997, Alice dedicated her life to caring for Eva. Norman developed serious back problems around this time also, so Alice then spent the next five years caring for Norman who was mostly confined to a wheelchair at home until he passed in 2002. Through all these trials, Alice’s deep faith was her refuge and strength. Her church and church family were so important to her. She kept her sense of humor and her fun-loving spirit in spite of these difficulties. To hear Alice laugh made everyone laugh with her. Alice loved playing cards, especially sheepshead, enjoyed reading and was a very social lady who made friends easily. We will always thank and remember Alice for these gifts and also for her strength and determination. Alice leaves behind a sister-in-law, Hildegard (Walter) Eickstedt, a nephew Ronald (Linda) Eickstedt, a niece Judy (Paul) Sandgren, a nephew Michael (Oleeta) Degner, and several cousins. She will be greatly missed by many, especially her church family at Pilgrim UCC in Grafton, her former Pastor Franz Rigert, former neighbors, and special friends Arlene (Irvin) Brandt, Carolyn (Glenn) Schellhaas, and Donna (Ronald) Van Rysin. Special thanks to Pastor Ann Utke at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, the staff at Stonehaven for their loving care of Alice and the compassionate and comforting caregivers from Allay Hospice, especially Kathy, Robin, Meeleka, Tracy and Chaplain Carol. Visitation for Alice will be at Pilgrim United Church of Christ (1621 2nd Avenue) in Grafton from 2:00 P.M. – 3:45 P.M. on Tuesday, November 3rd, with a memorial service at 4:00 P.M. Burial will take place at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, Nov. 4th, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grafton. Memorials to Pilgrim UCC in Alice’s name would be appreciated