Alice C. Stenander

Alice Cecilia (Kivlahan) Stenander, 83, of Galesburg, Illinois, died Sunday, April 6, 2025.

Alice was born January 9, 1942, in Farley, Iowa, the youngest of six to Henry and Margaret Kivlahan. Alice was preceded in death by her mother and father as well as her three brothers, John (Jack) Kivlahan, Dr. James (Jimmy) and Lorena Kivlahan and Henry Kivlahan. Surviving are her two sisters Joanne (Richard) Boudreau of Lacrosse, Wisconsin and Sister Mary Kivlahan of Dubuque, Iowa, as well as her three children Robert L (Katherine) Stenander III of Chicago, Illinois, Mary Alice Stenander Vick of Roanoke, Texas, and Susan L. Stenander of Evanston, Illinois as well as her six grandchildren Hunter, Brayden, Jack, Ryan, Hope and Thomas.

At 18, Alice left home to attend nursing training at the Mercy School of Nursing in Dubuque, Iowa. The Catholic nuns were tough, telling the women to write their names in their textbooks in pencil so they could erase them when they flunked out of class. Alice’s brother Jimmy told her that was nonsense, put your name in ink, you will be an incredible nurse, and she was for nearly 55 years.

After graduating from Mercy, Alice settled in Iowa City, Iowa, and worked at the University of Iowa Hospital. She became one of the university’s youngest head nurses.

Alice’s adventurous spirit led her on many international travels as a young woman. After reading the book “How to Travel to Europe on $5 a Day,” Alice convinced two friends to save $450 and head to Europe for three months, during which they visited 13 countries. She loved exploring, including parasailing on the beaches of Acapulco, enjoying the beauty of Hawaii and the history of Spain, as well as many mini road trips across the Midwest. Alice was full of life and looked for the joy all around her.

A chance encounter at a friend’s party, Alice met Robert (Bob) Stenander, a local judge and attorney. At first sight, Bob declared to Alice, “You will one day be my wife.” They were married at St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Iowa City, Iowa, on May 5, 1973.

After marrying, Alice took a decade to raise her three children before returning to work at Western Illinois Home Health Care in Galesburg, IL. She helped the owner grow Western into the company it is today, retiring as managing director after 30 years. At retirement, Western even dedicated the training center in her name. Alice was a mentor, friend, inspiration, and role model. Her empathetic yet firm approach to patient care earned the trust and love of patients and families during their most challenging times. She shaped many nurses and caregivers in the western Illinois area.

Alice was deeply rooted in her faith and a proud Immaculate Heart of Mary parish member. You could find her up front of the church attending mass every Sunday or Saturday night if she had to travel to see her grandkids, embodying the values of faith, grit, and determination.

Her community involvement extended after she retired. She served as president of the Chapter MG PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization) sisterhood, Ambassador President for the Galesburg Rotary, volunteer at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, volunteer for Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. and was a leader in the Galesburg Chamber of Commerce. She spent countless hours promoting Galesburg and lifting others up.

Alice said her proudest accomplishment was putting all three of her children through college. She was determined they would have the tools to be successful. After her three kids graduated, Alice continued her education by obtaining her bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Francis.

Alice was happiest with her children, frequently traveling wherever they were, including many trips on the Amtrak to Chicago, Illinois and endless summers in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Spending as much time with family was her passion. Affectionately known as “GrandAlice,” she had a playful spirit with her grandchildren, riding bikes, playing games, attending soccer games, sailing lessons, laughing and being silly. The grandkids joked that it was easy to make GrandAlice laugh but hard to make her stop.

Alice was beautiful inside and out and known for her style and elegance. She was all class. You would never hear Alice curse or speak poorly of others. She was full of grace and kindness, which she worked to pass on to her family. She valued choosing a positive mindset and was an avid reader; her favorite book was “The Precious Present.”

If Alice wasn’t with her children or grandchildren or volunteering, she was at the YMCA doing yoga, walking her neighborhood or the paths of Lake Storey, biking or sitting out in her backyard with her cats doing the crossword puzzle from the Wall Street Journal or Galesburg Register-Mail.

Alice’s strength and discipline was unmatched. Although her legacy will continue through her family, she will be greatly missed.

Visitation will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday April 13, 2025 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home in Galesburg, IL, followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. April 14 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. The family requests the honor of your presence at a lunch to celebrate Alice's life after mass, at 11:15 a.m. at the Packinghouse, 441 Mulberry St, Galesburg, IL 61401. In Alice's name, memorials can be made to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church or the Knox County Humane Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.