Alice Elaine Sauder, of Eau Claire, WI, died at home at the age of 77 on Friday, October 12, 2012, at 2:00 am after a long battle with cancer. She was born July 20, 1935 to William and Clara (Schultz) Ficken on the family farm in Dorchester, NE. On August 4th she was baptized in the Lutheran faith in Dorchester, NE. She graduated from Seward High School in 1953 and then attended Concordia Teacher's College in Seward, NE. While in Seward, she was on the first women's college basketball team. She graduated in 1956 with a Lutheran Teacher's Diploma and then taught 42 3rd and 4th graders at Immanuel Lutheran in Danville, IL. On December 29, 1957 Alice was united in marriage to Fred Sauder at St. John Lutheran Church, in Seward, NE. She taught one year of Kindergarten in Fargo, ND while Fred was serving his vicarage at Grace Lutheran. In 1963 they moved to Frazee, MN where they served at St. Paul's Lutheran for 6 years. In 1969 she and the family moved to Eau Claire, WI where Fred had accepted a call to be pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church. While in Eau Claire, Alice reared their 7 wonderful children and also gave home child care for many other children. During those 41 years while she was a member of Epiphany, Alice served her Lord as a member of the Altar Guild, the Lutheran Women's Missionary League, the Ladies Auxiliary, and the Fellowship club. She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir, served on the school board, and acted as co-chairman of the Hospitality Committee. Beyond her work in the local congregation, she served as an officer in the Zone LWML. She and Fred co-chaired the Association of Lutheran Older Adults where they focused on continuing education and fellowship among Lutherans in the Eau Claire area. She also served on the LCMS district Older Adult Ministry Committee. For the past 4 years, she has sung with the Eau Claire Forever Young choir. During retirement, she and Fred were privileged to travel to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, London, Thailand, China, and most recently to Dubai, Jordan and Israel. On their 25th wedding anniversary the congregation presented them with a trip to Luther Land Germany. Over the years, Alice did a great deal of sewing and has completed 10 counted cross stitch quilts, one for each of her beloved grandchildren. Her spiritual gifts included love, gentleness, kindness, and hospitality. She showed unending love to her 7 children and husband, all of whom are eternally grateful and love her without end. Those who mourn her death and yet rejoice in her heavenly inheritance include her husband, Fred; their children, Mark (Pat) Sauder of Chippewa Falls, WI, Cindy (Mark) Lawrence of Wichita, KS, Jennifer (Craig) Phillips of Parker, CO, Todd (Deb) Sauder of Lakeville, MN, Matthew (Michelle) Sauder of Dubai, UAE, Rachel (Denny) Menter of Eau Claire, WI, Naomi (Scott) Turk of Elkhorn, WI; 10 grandchildren, Emily Sauder, Mitchell and Natasha Lawrence, Brody Phillips, Tessa Sauder, Shayla and Zachary Menter, Megan, Molly and Madison Turk; sister Delores (John) Haase of Lincoln, NE; and brother Ivan Ficken of Eau Claire, WI. A funeral service will be held 11a.m. on Tuesday, October 16, 2012, at Peace Lutheran Church, 501 E. Fillmore Ave. in Eau Claire with Pastor Mark W. Schulz officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7p.m. on, Monday, October 15, 2012, at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home WEST CHAPEL, 1405 N. Clairemont Ave., and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery, Town of Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Colon Cancer Coalition, Mayo Clinic Health System or directed to the family.

Service Information

Cemetery

Rest Haven Cemetery 5750 Old Town Hall Road Eau Claire WI 54701

Visitation

Monday, October 15 2012 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Lenmark Gomsrud Linn Funeral & Cremation Services West Chapel 1405 North Clairemont Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Funeral Service

Tuesday, October 16 2012 11:00 AM

Peace Lutheran Church 501 E. Fillmore Ave. Eau Claire WI 54701