August 18, 1934 ~ October 19, 2023

Alice Marie Cowan Sheets, 89, passed away on October 19, 2023 at the Nebraska Veteran’s Home in Kearney. Funeral services will be on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 11:00 a.m at Community Bible Church with Rev. Dale Janzen and Gil Larsen officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10 – 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be held at the Omaha National Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the family to be designated at a later time. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.soltwagnerfuneral.com.

Alice was born to William and Nelle (Cushman) Cowan on August 18, 1934, delivered by her grandmother Lula Cushman, a midwife in Blair. She started school in Baton Rouge, LA, and attended school in Tennessee, North Carolina, and New Mexico before graduation from high school in Blair in 1953.

She married LeRoy Sheets December 22, 1953. They lived in Clarkson, TN while her husband was in the army before returning to Fremont where they had 4 children. In 1959, they moved to Grand Island where they added one more child, and then in 1966 to Central City. Alice worked for JM McDonald’s department store for 9 ½ years in Central City. She owned Mode O Day ladies clothing store in Aurora for 4 years. Alice was a cook at Nebraska Christian High School for 7 years. Alice also volunteered at the Central City Senior Center for several years.

She was an active member of the Community Bible Church, teaching Sunday school and helping with Awana, hosting many missionaries for dinners. She was a published writer of several articles in national and local publications.

Alice is survived by her husband of almost 70 years, LeRoy; her five children, Clay (Barbara) Sheets of Blair, Elder ( Judy) Sheets of Stromsburg, Peggy Ellingson of Kearney, Jonica (Ken) Wampler of Palmer, and Jo Weiss of Kearney, her grandchildren; Carrie Sheets, Heather (Ryan) Lambert, Jamie (Rachel) Rapp, Elizabeth Sheets, Chuck Sheets, Mark (Sherri Lilientahl) Sheets, Clint (Melissa) Ellingson, Brett Ellingson, Jeremiah (Brittany) Ellingson, Eve (Jeremy) Essary, Jon (Macy) Wampler, Brad Weiss, Cassi Weiss, Lacy (Andelson) Tocong, Anna (Tanner) Tillman, and 31 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren; her sister-in-law; Leota Cowan of Blair, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents; William and Nelle Cowan, and her sisters and their husbands; Peggy (Neil) Reed and Bonnie (Marvin) Johnson; brother, Bill Cowan; and son-in-law, Galen Ellingson.