Alice Charlotte Johnson passed away on July 6, 2018, in Woodland, California after 99 1/2 years of a truly blessed life. She was born February 15, 1919, on the family farm outside of Red Oak to parents George and Helga Johnson.

After attending country school, she went to Red Oak High School and Jr. College to prepare herself for teaching. During her high school years, she met her future husband, Elwyn Almquist of Essex. Alice taught at three Montgomery county schools, interrupting her career to travel to San Diego to work in an airplane plant to help with the war effort.

Elwyn and Alice married in 1943 and lived at Fort Riley, Kansas where their daughter, Peggy was born before Elwyn was shipped to the Asian Theater. After the war, they resided on the Almquist family farm where Ann, Ron and Lisa were born. In addition to being a mother and farm wife, Alice was active in church, scouts, 4-H, Tomorrow's Club, and she worked to bring various programs to the developmentally disabled.

Later, Alice and Elwyn ran a grocery/dry goods store for over a decade after a move into Essex. Alice went on to become the town's librarian and "historian". Retirement years were just as busy! She was still involved with Nishna Productions (which she helped to found). She continued volunteering and being active with the American Legion and church. Elwyn and Alice made over 200 "comfy covers", 1000 handkerchief Angels, and cleaned myriad pints of black walnuts that they sold and donated. She was best known for her role as "The Apron Lady", putting on programs about the history of aprons. Essex chose her to be Grand Marshall of the Labor Day Parade in 2003.

Alice's parents, seven siblings, one son-in-law, and her husband preceded her in death. She is survived by sister-in-law Marice Young and four children: Peg and husband Tom Monley of Woodland, California; Ann Kummerow of Crystal Lake, Illinois; Ron Almquist and wife Jann of Atascadero, California, and Lisa Almquist of West Sacramento, California. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and their spouses: Chris, Chad, and Andrew Kummerow; Josh, Nate, Lina (Bornstein), and Dominic Monley; Robyn and Sarah Almquist. Alice Is also survived by 15 great grandchildren.

Alice had a full life of blessings and challenges that she met with grace. She so appreciated the support she received from church and community during her later years

Celebration of life funeral service will be held 10:30 am, Monday, July 16, 2018 at the Faith Covenant Church in Essex.

Visitation with the family will be held from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm, Sunday, July 15, 2018 at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah.

Burial will be held at the Essex Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Nishna Productions.