Alice L. Briggs

Alice Leora Briggs passed away on November 11, 2015, in Aurora, Colorado. She was born in Loveland on May 15, 1926, to Charles Ludvick and Fern Veach Ludvick (Buckler). Her sister Doris Jean was born in Greeley eight years later. Her younger years were in and around northeast Greeley on the "drylands" living with her grandparents and extended family on farms. She attended first through eighth grade at Prairie Queen.

Around 1940, Alice moved with her mother and Jean to Denver and enrolled at Manual High School. Her mother was a single parent, as her father had passed away when she was twelve. After they settled in the area of Denver known as Elyria/Globeville, they opened a restaurant. Because World War II had started, it was hard to get help, so she had to drop out of school which was very hard for her.

While working in the restaurant, she met and married Orin H. Briggs, on August 1, 1945 here in Denver. They had a daughter, Janet Marie, and later a son, John Walter. They raised their family in the Swansea area. In March 1968, she became a widow. Though she had been a homemaker, she needed to return to the work place. Eventually she returned to school and earned her GED. Because she enjoyed school so much, she added business classes and got good grades.

Around this time she began to work for Bender's Book Binding in the office. She had a love for books and reading and the work was interesting. A couple years later, she went to work for the City and County of Denver, as a ward clerk at Denver General (now Denver Health) in GYN and family services. She later transferred to the Motor Vehicle Licensing. She liked working with numbers and could still quote fees a year ago. She retired in the late 1980s. After living in south Denver for 27 years, she moved to Heather Gardens in Aurora during October of 2003.

She had many interests: coin collecting starting in the early 1950's; reading historical books, biographies, newspapers, watching sports including the Broncos and Avalanche, baseball, and attending museums (reading everything at each exhibit). She was especially fond of rock and gem displays. She was a good seamstress (4H), she knitted, crocheted, and liked to tinker and repair things. She was also an avid collector of southwestern jewelry and décor. She read to her children regularly and instilled in them a love of books. She made Christmas special and even made the gift boxes herself.

She always wanted to fly an airplane. Her Uncle Claude would take her up in his plane when she was young. After flight training, she passed with 30 minutes in air. But ultimately she wasn't cleared to fly because of a heart murmur. Though she was upset, she didn't pursue it further.

On August 1, 2010, Pastor Wolfmueller baptized her and her sister, Jean. She took catechism classes and became a confirmed member of Hope Lutheran that October. She rejoiced in receiving the body and blood of her Lord Jesus for forgiveness, life, and salvation, even as her health began to decline.

She is preceded in death by husband Orin H. She is survived by her children Janet (Melvin) Stepp Jr. & John (Marcia) Briggs; grandsons Mike & Matt; sister Doris "Jean" (Bill) Kluth; and numerous nieces & nephews.

Alice Leora Briggs passed away on November 11, 2015 having attained the age of 89 years, 5 months, and 27 days.

The Lord gives, the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.

To share a memory of Alice or leave a special condolence message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.