Alice Marie was born on January 23, 1941, the seventh of twelve children born to Elias and Marguerite (Homewood) Bachman at their farm home two miles south of Rulo, Nebraska. As a child, Alice attended a one room country school, District 91 (The “Y” School) through the 8th grade. Alice excelled academically and was the top 8th grade student in Richardson County in 1954. She continued her academic excellence graduating as class valedictorian from Falls City High School with the class of 1958. In the spring of 1959, Alice attended Airline School in Minneapolis, MN. Upon completion of her studies, she was flown to Washington D.C. to interview for Capitol Airlines (now known as United Airlines). Due to her outstanding school performance, Alice was given the opportunity to select what job she wanted, and she chose to be a radio operator (ground-to-air communications) known today as an air traffic controller. Alice was proud to be the first woman to serve in this role for Capitol Airlines and was affectionately called “Sam” by her male colleagues.This job took her to Birmingham, AL; Detroit, MI; Charleston NC; and finally, Washington D.C. In the spring of 1961, Alice met the love of her life, James William Crouch, who was also employed with Capitol Airlines. They were married on January 21, 1962 at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA. In the fall of 1965, Jim was transferred to Aurora, CO, where Alice and Jim built a new home and lived there until the present time. After the move to Aurora, Alice continued her role as homemaker rather than working outside the home. She continued her education by taking classes at a local college in Denver. Alice said she raised a multitude of children as she and Jim were loved by all the neighborhood children. She loved working in her flower gardens, reading, genealogy, and doing research. Much like her mother, Alice had beautiful penmanship and enjoyed writing cherished letters and notes to family. Alice enjoyed traveling with Jim, and their favorite destination was to the Hawaiian Islands with Alice’s folks. Despite living in Colorado, Alice loved her parent’s homeplace in Nebraska and until she was too ill to do so, traveled home regularly to be with family. Alice and Jim loved and cared deeply for one another with Jim never leaving Alice’s side throughout their almost 57 years of marriage.
Alice waged a valiant fight for 9 years against cancer but on December 19, 2018 at the age of 77 she left her earthly home for her eternal home in Heaven. She passed away at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora. Alice was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers, Thomas Homewood and Dr. Ronald Bachman. Alice is survived by her husband Jim of Aurora, brothers; Ben (Sandy) Bachman, Bob (Joyce) Bachman of Rulo, Gary (Cindy) Bachman; sisters; Bernice Adams of Falls City, Louise Pfankuche and Wauneta (Jim) Catlett of Kansas City MO; Marjorie Surman, Marlene McKim, Rita (Steve) Johansen all of Rulo; Ruth Lieneman of Robinson KS. Alice is also survived by her husband’s siblings: Mary Wimberly and Minnie Crouch of Ft. Meyers, FL, Dorothy Rabenold of Whitehall PA, Pat Lightfoot of Bluefield WV, Sherry Miller and Joette (Fred) Dotson of Somerfield FL, Bill Crouch, Sierra Vista AZ, Denny Crouch of Roanoke VA, and Sandy (Lud) Domaratzki of Williamsburg VA. Other survivors include a close family friend, David Osborne of Falls Church VA as well as dozens of loving nieces, nephews, and their children. Alice also leaves behind her adopted family at Anschutz Medical Campus lead byDr. Madeleine Kane, MD, PhD. The doctors, nurses, and staff surrounded Alice with not only exceptional care, but also a great love becoming a family to her. A memorial service will be held at a later date with inurnment in the Rulo Cemetery.
Look for Alice beyond the rainbow. Her beautiful smile will never be diminished, and her name will always be spoken.
