Alice M. Schuetz

Alice Schuetz 1923 - 2012
Alice was born on January 8, 1923 in Omaha, Nebraska to Vera and James Monohon. She was a twin but her twin died in utero before Alice's birth. As a result of her twin's death, Alice was born with Pott's disease – tuberculosis of the spine. The vertebrae of her spine were inflamed and swollen which caused her spine to grow crooked. She was one year old when she was hospitalized and placed in a Bradford frame, made of canvas and iron piping, in an attempt to correct her deformed spine. The frame was bent so that Alice lay on her back and could not raise her head as a restraining jacket was placed across her chest and tied to the bed to keep her in place. After several months, Alice entered a crippled children's home where she lived, aided by a body cast, until she was 14 years old.
She met her husband in Omaha when he hired her to be his secretary. They married in 1943. Her bridal gown, arriving by train, was waylaid by the war but her portrait taken after the wedding was selected as "Bride of the Year" by Neiman Marcus and was highlighted in their Dallas storefront. She attended Texas Woman's College in Denton, Texas until Frank returned from World War II – just weeks shy of her graduation. No regrets. She settled down with Frank in Omaha and started their family. They moved to Colorado in 1963 and quickly became part of the community.
In the late 1940's, Frank and Alice met Richard de Latour, whose father owned Beaulieu Vineyards (BV) in the Napa Valley, California. After several years, Alice became a full time caregiver for Richard who was deaf and autistic from birth. He became a part of the family – a surrogate grandfather to their children. Alice and Frank traveled throughout the US and Canada, several times to Europe, and later to the South Pacific and Australia while serving as companions to Richard.
Alice died June 4, 2012. She was preceded in death by Frank J. Schuetz, her husband of 58 years and her son, Frank J. Schuetz Jr. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Allie and Jerry Brinkley of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, her granddaughters, Stacey Laster of San Marcos, Texas, and Christy Villegas, her husband Jorge, and their children, Jeriann and Cruz of Aurora, Colorado, and a sister, Doris Sledge of Omaha.
Alice was an accomplished artist, bridge player, pianist, cook, chocolate connoisseur, and shopper. She never failed to see the good in everyone she met. She had a happy spirit, a genuine innocence, was generous to a fault, and loved in a big way. She was "Lucy" from "I Love Lucy" – always looking for an "Ethel". Her absence will leave a big hole in our hearts. A private memorial will be held.

Donations in Alice's name may be made to:
Denver Dumb Friends League
2080 South Quebec Street Denver, CO 80231
(303) 751-5772

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