Alice Irene Vetter

Alice Irene Carlson was born on June 20, 1925 at Burtrum, Minnesota.  She was raised in Vickers Township southwest of Bison by her parents, Grace (Shinabarger) and Theodore Carlson, along with her younger brother, Dewayne.  Here her parents operated a coalmine and farm, which remains in the family today, owned by her son, Jack Vetter.
Alice attended Sunnyside Elementary and graduated from Bison High School in 1942. Remembering her childhood she discussed the drought of the 1930’s and having to haul drinking water from a well 2 miles from home. As a child she enjoyed playing softball, ice-skating, and riding her pony.  She attended college at Spearfish, SD obtaining her teaching certificate.
Alice met her sweetheart, Stephen Vetter when he came to work at the coal mine for her parents.  They were married on June 26, 1944 at Baker, Montana.  Two days later Steve left for army basic training. While enlisted, they lived in Tyler, Texas and Alice worked as a time-keeper in a box factory. After Steve’s injury and discharge from the army they made their home in Bison, SD. Here they operated the pool hall and the Standard Oil Station. To this union of 69 ½ years three children were born, Evelyn, Jack, and Nancy. The family of five enjoyed their years with picnics, playing cards, reading, sledding at Bill Lane’s canyon, and trips to visit family and friends. Her hobbies included bowling, playing canasta and bridge, having coffee with her friends, and attending her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s activities.
She resided at Edwood Vista in Spearfish for 2 years and enjoyed all the entertainment and people.
Alice passed away on May 20, 2018 at Rapid City Regional Hospital with her family by her side at the age of 92 years 11 months.  She will be lovingly remembered as being very kind, prim, proper, well-pressed, and classy with a quick wit and great sense of humor.
She is survived by her children Evelyn (Pat) John, The Villages, FL; Jack (Debby) Vetter, Bison, SD; Nancy (Ron) Seidel, Meadow, SD;  Five grandchildren Charlene (Clay) Geschke, Sondra (Dean) Iverson, Kimberley (Todd) Hoepker, William (Carole) Vetter, Dana (Bruce) Hendrickson;  Eleven great-grandchildren Lindsey (Zach) Cromling, Logan and Layton Hendrickson, Taylor and Sydney Hoepker, Alex and Matthew Iverson, Payton Geschke, Reagan, Riley, and Ryann Vetter; one brother-in-law Frank Vetter, one sister-in-law Elizabeth Loughlin, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen in 2014, her parents, and her brother and sister-in-law, Dewayne and Lorraine Carlson.   
The Memorial Service for Alice Vetter, age 92 of Spearfish, formerly of Bison, SD will be held 11:00am MT Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church in Bison with Pastor Florence Hoff, officiating. Burial will be in Black Hills National Cemetery at Sturgis, SD.

The Pioneer Review

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