Alice Lorraine Hicks was born on July 20, 1923 to Walter Wesley and Alice Mae Hicks in Miles City, MT. She attended school in Miles City and graduated from Custer County High School in 1941. Alice had an older sister, Montana Marie, whom she loved dearly.
She married Gordon Wesley Spear on November 12, 1942 in Miles City. They proceeded to live in PA, SC and CA while Gordie was in the Naval Air Corps. She attended the University of Washington for 1.5 years while Gordie was in the Pacific during World War II. Her sister Montana Cooter lived there also at that time. Alice & Gordie returned to Miles City in 1945 where they first lived near Gordie’s parents on Knight Street. They then moved to 719 S Center Street where Gordie and Alice started a family and would have five children. This house remained “home” for the family over the next 45 years.
Alice was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church in Miles City. She taught Sunday School for years and sang in the choir for over 40 years. She served terms as both an Elder and Deacon. She belonged to the Ruth and Debra Circle at church, was a member of the Eagles Club Auxiliary, the Caledonian Society, the Custer County Art Center, the Miles City Town & Country Club, and was a 4-H and Brownie leader. She played bridge, power walked, swam, loved to garden and was also an avid golfer. In 1972 she was proud to be the first woman to get a hole-in-one at the Town & Country Club. She was fond of all spectator sports, being married to a Sports Writer. Gordie and Alice were in a bowling league together as well as a golfing league together and separately. Alice also loved children, music, dancing, sewing, and hosting parties. Alice worked as a homemaker for decades and when their youngest entered into Junior High, Gordie sanctioned Alice could join the workforce. She worked as a sales person at Shores, a women’s clothing store in Miles City until she retired in her 70’s.
Gordie died on September 15, 1988. A few years after that, she sold the family home and moved to the sought-after golf course condos on Sudlow Way. Alice did much traveling to visit her children, & grandchildren in different locations; even vacationing with them to Mexico, Hawaii and Costa Rica for Kirtlye’s wedding to Neil in 1996.
Alice met Thurman informally on their mutual walks around the south side of town, though they knew each other before from church. They married on December 20, 2000 in Tucson, AZ at Kirtlye and Neil’s home. They enjoyed their lives together in Miles City and Tucson for over 13 years before Thurman died on August 14, 2013.
Alice moved to St. Paul, MN in July 2015 to live with her daughter Kim and husband Michael Wilson. She continued golfing: adding scrabble and jigsaw puzzles to her indoor interests. Alice was loved by her new friends at New Life Presbyterian Church and in her new St. Paul neighborhood. She loved fellowship hour after New Life services, a time to make new friends and share stories. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent isolation was hard on Alice. A fall in February 2020 resulted in a broken right arm, which slowed Alice down even more. Compression fractures of her back due to osteoporosis led to her quick decline.
Alice is survived by her children Terry Gordon (spouse Ann Dooling and his children Rachel, Michael, and Christopher), Randy Lee (spouse Janice Munsell and their children Justin and Lauren), Kimberley Marie (spouse Michael Wilson and their child Damian), Kirtlye Dee (spouse Neil Powell) and Allison Rae (spouse Jerry Harmon and their children Carolyn and Katelyn); her nephews Walter and Alan (children of deceased sister Montana Cooter) and their families; her cousin Ruth Gray and her family; and Gene and Connie Bankey and their family; Gordies only sister June’s daughter Wesley Ann Klein and family. Alice had 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Special appreciation for Alice’s care providers and friends in MN for embracing Alice and treasuring her generous, kind and joyful spirit. The birth and growth of Damian & Tierney’s twin boys was especially delightful for mom to watch daily her last year.
A Celebration of Life service was held in October 2021 in St Paul, MN along with a Celebration of Life service at First Presbyterian Church in Miles City, MT on July 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Internment with Gordie Spear at the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery was held the morning of July 20, 2022, attended by immediate family only.
Curtis and June Fillafer says
Kirtlye and all of the Spear family I’m so sorry for the loss of Alice, You are in my thoughts and prayers during the difficult times ahead. Alice was a good friend and a friend to everyone. She will be missed in the community. God Bless you in heaven. I’m so sorry to see you leave us.
Deborah Hafla Ruppe says
Randy and Janice,
I’m so sorry for your loss. God Bless
Cori Hanel Brubaker says
To the entire Spear family, I am sorry for your loss. It’s very hard losing parents. Thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Terri and Ray Schmidt says
We were so sorry to learn of the passing of Mrs. Spear. I will always remember her smile and the twinkle in her eye. She touched a lot of people during her years in Miles City and she was always so friendly.
Teresa A Bacon says
What a beautiful picture. I was thinking about you the other day, one of Moms ( ( Elaine Rumph) dear friends in HS and throught life kept in touch. My Condolences and Prayers to the Family and Friends