Alyce Lillian Walson, 81

Alyce Lillian Walson, 81, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2005, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 15, 2005, in Coffelt's Moon Chapel with Pastor Darryn Hewson of the United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Alyce was born in St. Paul, Minn., the daughter of Emil and Esther (Eld) Elli. The family moved to North Dakota and on to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1928. The red-headed farm girl settled on the family farm in Colburn and with the sudden death of her mother in 1937, she raised her eight brothers and sisters.

She attended Colburn School through the eighth grade and continued her education in Sandpoint, graduating from Sandpoint High School in 1943.

Alyce moved to Seattle, Wash., during World War II and worked for Boeing, and was "Rosy the Riveter," one of the many women riveting the planes for the war.

After the war ended, she moved to San Francisco, Calif., and worked as a waitress. After returning to Sandpoint she married L.C. "Bus" Walson in Libby, Mont., on Oct. 29, 1946. They made their residence in Dover, Idaho, where they lived for 58 years and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1996.

Alyce traveled with her husband's work and lived in Montana, Idaho, Washington and Alaska. Following retirement, they traveled to all 50 states, crossing the U.S. and Canada from border to border. In 1996, illness forced her to curtail her traveling and she retired to her home in Dover.

She enjoyed cooking, traveling and yard work, gardening and flowers. Alyce was active as a spokesman for the American Cancer Society, Beta Sigma Phi, American Legion, Hospital Auxiliary and a Lady of the Nile in the Shrine.

Survivors include her husband L.C. "Bus" Walson of Dover; her daughter Susan (Steve) Kent of Spokane, Wash.; her son Gary (Corrine) Walson of Winchester, Calif.; a granddaughter, Marci Walson of Coeur d'Alene; a grandson, Craig Kent of Berkley, Calif.; her sisters, Helen Corne of Spokane and Irene Hartman of Spokane; and her brothers, Harold Elli of Everett, Wash. and Jim Elli of Roseburg, Ore.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Evelyn (Bucky), Lillian and Charlotte; and brother, Alf Elli.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners or Elks Lodge.

Arrangements are under care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.