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Alice Edell Farmer was born Jan. 8, 1923, to Albert and Jennie Farmer of Edina. On their farm at France Avenue and 62nd Street, her father operated Farmer Nurseries, specializing in quality gladiolas which he marketed to florists in the Twin Cities and surrounding area. Alice learned to drive before she was even in her teens. As soon as she was big enough to reach the pedals, she was handily delivering flowers to Bachman's in a World War I-era Wilcox truck with a stick shift and no power steering.

When Alice was 12 years old, she and her brother were invited to attend Edina Baptist Church, where she heard the Gospel clearly presented. She accepted Jesus Christ as master of her life at that time and spent her teen years as a faithful member of Edina Baptist. Alice attended St. Louis Park High School because there was no high school in Edina then. After graduating in 1941, she attended the University of Minnesota, majoring in journalism.

During her third year in college, Alice's parents bought a farm near Harris. It was here that Alice met Don Wilcox, whom she married on Dec. 8, 1944. When Alice went to live at the Wilcox farm, her new husband's mother asked if she knew how to milk a cow. Alice replied that she did not. Her mother-in-law told her, "Don't ever learn." Alice took that advice, for she never milked a cow in all her 64 years on the Wilcox farm.

Don and Alice raised eight children on their farm. Alice was active in a wide variety of community affairs, including the Peaceful Valley Community Club, North Branch PTA, and the Republican Party. During the 1950s and 1960s she wrote a popular weekly column for the North Branch newspaper, relating humorous and insightful tales about her family and life on the farm. She served on the Sunrise Township Planning Commission in the 1970s.

Alice became a member of Sunrise Bible Church shortly after moving here as a young bride. She faithfully supported the church for over 60 years, until the day she died. She served as a Sunday school teacher, treasurer, and in many other capacities. One of her jobs in years gone by was to start the old fuel-oil furnace on Saturday nights. Many times she drove to Sunrise in 20-below temperatures to light the furnace so the church would be warm for Sunday morning. Alice and her friend Viola Johnson were instrumental in reorganizing the church as a Baptist church in the early 1970s. For about 20 years she taught a ladies' Bible study that touched many women from around the area.

Alice enjoyed a wonderful Sunday on Aug. 24 at her church and with her family. Later that afternoon she suffered a stroke. She passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, Aug. 26. 2008.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and one great-grandson, Broderick Wittwer of St. Paul. She is survived by three sons: Bert and Charles, both of Sunrise, and Ralph (Pete) and wife Peggy of Elizabethton, Tenn.; five daughters: Charlotte of Sunrise, Anne and husband Brad Miklya of Grantsburg, Wis., Janet and husband John Swanson of Sunrise, Alice and husband Vince Bennett of Sunrise, and Nancy and husband Tom Rys of Rock Creek; 16 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; her brother, Richardson Farmer, and two nephews, Richard and James Farmer, all of River Falls, Wis.; a niece, Nancy Jensen of River Falls; many nieces and nephews of her husband's; and many friends.

Funeral services were celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, August 29, 2008 at the Sunrise Bible Church in Sunrise with Dr. George Cable, Pastor James Rockensock, and Pastor David Stertz officiating. Music was provided by Anna Gilkerson and Muriel Kennedy. Honorary casket bearers included Deacons of the Sunrise Bible Church; Jerry Bjork, Bradley Hindt, Ward Gilkerson, Scott Manske, Jeremy Hall, Todd Rockensock, and former Deacon Curtis Sellman. Casket bearers were grandsons Brian Bennett, Roy Swanson, David Bennett, Craig Wilcox, David Miklya, Dustin Wilcox, Michael Miklya, Jacob Wilcox, Link Swanson, and Wesley Wilcox with the interment at the Sunrise Cemetery in Sunrise. Arrangements were entrusted to the Funeral & Cremation Service, Olson Chapel~ Rush City, Minnesota.

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