Clear, 39° F
(Oct. 5, 1923 - Feb. 24, 2009)
Former Frannie resident Alice Zlomke died on Feb. 24, 2009.
Alice was born to Frank and Emma (Hejsek) Bartos on Oct. 5, 1923 on the family farm in Merrit County, Neb. She had four siblings, and they spent their time milking cows and feeding pigs and chickens. She was a tomboy who followed her dad everywhere.
She married LaVern Zlomke on Feb. 1, 1944. They were married for 61 years.
Alice and LaVern raised four boys: Dennis, Darrell, Mike and Leland, and one girl, Patricia (Patsy). The family lived in Manderson, Bonneville, Wendover, Nev., Frannie and Osage, before settling back in Frannie.
She loved quilting and gardening. She was known for raising luscious, red strawberries and towering corn. The bounties of her garden provided many hours of canning and freezing, and she shared the produce with her family and friends.
Alice worked in several different restaurants where she earned the nick name “Cowboy.” She spent a lot of time traveling to sporting and band events and plays while her children were growing up. Once the children were grown, and scattered across the country with the 21 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, LaVern and Alice traveled the country to spend time with them. They also spent time bowling and attending craft fairs where they sold their woodworking projects.
Alice was a tremendous cook, and her kolaches were her signature recipe.
As they aged, Alice and LaVern spent less time traveling and more time with friends in and around Frannie. Upon LaVern's death, Alice moved to Rapid City, S.D. to live with her daughter and be near her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Alice is survived by her children Dennis (Joy) of Powell, Patricia of Rapid City, S.D., Darrell (Cec) of Cheyenne, Michael (Mary) of Owasso, Okla., and Leland (Sherrie) of Hagerstown, Md.; two sisters, Hattie Osentowski of Ord, Neb. and Bethene Pollock of California.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Emma; her husband, LaVern; her sister, Libbie; her brother, Ed and a granddaughter, Jennie.
