Alice Elizabeth Marthaler

Alice Elizabeth Marthaler, age 90, of Marshall, Minnesota, peacefully passed into her new life by taking the hand of an angel on Monday, September 9, 2024, at her home. Mass of Christian Burial is 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 19, 2024, at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley, Minnesota. Interment will follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall, Minnesota. A reception for attendees will then be held at Carlin Hall (basement of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church) in Marshall. Visitation will be held from 4:30 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. The evening will begin with a CCW Rosary at 4:30 p.m. and will close with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will again continue one hour prior to her celebration, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, at the church in Green Valley.

Alice was born on December 11, 1933, on the family farm near Sauk Centre, Minnesota. She was the daughter of Henry and Alvina (Holdvogt) Winters. Alice was baptized as an infant, received first communion, and was confirmed in her youth at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. She attended school through the 8th grade and then helped on the family farm while also caring for her brother, who lived with polio, and looking after her younger twin brothers.

As a young woman, Alice met Martin “Marty” Marthaler by chance at an evening out at a local rollerskating rink. As she struggled with tightening her roller skates; Marty lent her his key and the rest, as they say, is history. The couple married on October 12, 1953, at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Over the next 10, years, they moved 23 times, from Minnesota to Washington back to Minnesota to the Dakotas and back to Minnesota again. Alice and her family have called Marshall home since 1963. Over the course of those years, they had eight children including two daughters who were lost as infants.

Alice took great pride in watching her family grow, and her greatest joy was spending time with her loved ones, whether it was sharing family stories, teaching her grandchildren new crafts or simply enjoying their company. She also had a deep affection for animals, especially cats. Her home was always filled with the warmth and companionship of her feline friends.

As a devoted nurse, Alice spent many years providing comfort, compassion and healing to countless patients. Her passion for nursing extended far beyond the hospital walls—she embodied kindness and selflessness in every facet of her life. She was a source of comfort and support to friends, family and strangers alike. She was a patient and independent woman who looked after the elderly, her children, infants in the hospital nursery, her ailing husband, and family members with special needs. She worked her way up in the Marshall hospital, serving as a licensed practical nurse for over 30 years, as further evidence of her desire to care for those in need. Alice knew no barrier and was always proud to figure something out and execute it on her own. She read extensively and volunteered to drive for over 20 years for those that needed help getting to medical appointments. Alice served as treasurer for the Marshall Amateur Radio Club, was active with the American Legion Auxiliary, served as a representative for the nurses’ union, helped with the Ladies Guild at church, actively participated in a wood carving club, and also was a Cub Scout troop leader.

What spare time was left was filled with gardening, quilting, a game of dominoes, or moving on to the next project. Alice was an accomplished and passionate artisan, working in nearly any medium. She found great joy in wood carving, painting, and a large variety of other crafts (including leatherworking, decorating cakes, making silk floral arrangements for a loved one’s wedding and her caramels were a renowned treat at family celebrations).

Her hands were never idle, and through her artistic endeavors, she brought beauty and inspiration to all those around her. She shared her talents with others, often gifting her creations to family. Her home was filled with her handmade works, each piece reflecting her warmth, creativity and attention to detail. She took great pride in her work and found peace and fulfillment in her ability to create something beautiful from raw materials. Her intricately carved wooden sculptures, vibrant paintings and handcrafted treasures will remain cherished keepsakes to those she shared them with, each one a testament to her skill and imagination.

Alice loved to travel. She and Marty were able to fulfill a lifelong ambition after their retirement with a seven-week European vacation. Alice and Marty were snowbirds who fondly spent 22 winters together in the New Mexico sun meeting new friends and finding new hobbies.

Alice died in her sleep on Monday, September 9, 2024, at her home. She reached the age of 90 years, 8 months, and 29 days. WBØWHY signing off… Blessed and eternal be her memory. She is survived by her 5 children, Arlene Marthaler of Minneota, Kenneth Marthaler of Key Largo, FL, Kevin Marthaler of Spring City, TN, Kathleen Marthaler of Annapolis, MD, Jolene (Carl) Louwagie of Clarkfield; 10 grandchildren, Jeff (Kassie) Marthaler, Jessica (Robert) Babb, Michelle Marthaler, Kristin Marthaler, Alex Marthaler (Erik Flores), Charles “CJ” Marthaler, Brent (Shelbie) Louwagie, Jack Louwagie, Jarrett (Shelby) Louwagie, Sophia Louwagie; 7 great-grandchildren; brother, Robert (Debbie) Winters of Mesa, AZ; sisters-in-law, JoAnn Marthaler of Alexandria and Beatrice (Fred) Massmann of Sauk Centre; and many nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. 

Alice was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 67 years, Martin Marthaler; three daughters, Karen Marthaler, Mary Marthaler, Marie Marthaler; and brothers, Elmer “Bud” Winters and Arthur Winters.