Alice E Stahl

Alice Esther Stahl, 92, of Newton, Kansas gained her angel wings and entered the kingdom of heaven on October 6, 2024, at Kansas Christian Home. She was born on September 7, 1932 in Newton, Kansas to Blanche (Montgomery) and John Cowan. She graduated from Newton High School.

She spent most of her life living in the country south of Newton. It is there that she met her husband of nearly 73 years, Edward Stahl, who grew up only a half mile away. They married in November, 1951 and shortly after she followed him to various army bases while he served in the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge, they then settled in at the family farm. 

Alice was a true farmer’s wife. She raised nearly 1,200 chickens and had a weekly egg route, delivering farm fresh eggs to the doors of Newton residents. She also drove a school bus for 30 years, sharing the route with her husband and also transporting Newton students to out-of-town sporting events and other activities. She then added the role of optometric assistant when she began working for Dr. Roger Grant in Newton, then for Dr. Wade Dulin in Wichita and then Dr. Thomas Lentz in Newton. All the while she always helped out with the family farm driving trucks and taking great lunches to the fields when needed. She was an exceptional cook and baker with her signature pies and crescent rolls always a favorite at family and potluck dinners. She grew a large garden every year, canned and froze vegetables and always had a freezer full of chicken, pork and beef from the farm. She was also an excellent seamstress and made many clothes for the family.

Alice and Ed were 4-H leaders and for decades were members of the Rural Life Group where they developed a strong network of lifetime friends. For fun, they took up square dancing, started camping and boating, water and snow skiing and traveled all over the United States and the world. Upon retirement, they became snowbirds and spent the winters in Port Aransas and South Padre Island, Texas.

Alice is survived by her husband Ed, daughter Karen Cox (Greg Black) of Sedgwick, brother Bruce Cowan and sister Lois Markley. She is survived by three grandchildren: Zac (Alli) Cox of Seattle; Kendal (Alex) Heyman of Wichita and Jordan (Coley Lenners) Black of Sedgwick along with five great-grandchildren. Her parents and son Jerry preceded her in death.

Her personal connections and the lives she touched are far-reaching. From every child that road her school bus to the patients whose eyeglasses she fixed to the vast friendships she developed at home and during their travels and to her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. She will be greatly missed!

Visitation is from 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Friday, October 11, 2024 at Petersen Family Funeral Home with family receiving guests from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Funeral service is at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Newton, Kansas with a graveside service following.

Memorial donations in Lieu of flowers may be made to Trinity Heights United Methodist Church