Alice Gavenda

Alice Emmo Gavenda age 81, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2019, at Masonic Pathways, Alma, MI.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul Apostle Catholic Church, Ithaca, MI, on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 11:00 A.M., with Rev. Fr. Andrzej Boroch officiating.  Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Alma, MI. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 27, 2019 from 1:00-8:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, with a Rosary prayed at 8:00 P.M. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the mass at the church.

Alice was born in Ashley, MI on July 6, 1937, the daughter of Floyd and Lucille (Strouse) Spiece. She married John Ralph Gavenda on January 15, 1955. John passed away on June 23, 1998.

Alice spent many hours out in the field working along side her husband John. She enjoyed playing cards and games at the senior center, crocheting and making quilts for family and friends. Alice enjoyed going to the family cabin in Harrison, pontoon rides, and playing bean bag toss and sequence. She was a wonderful cook, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother.

Alice was a member of the ZCBJ Lodge, Bannister, MI where she cooked for many wedding receptions, enjoyed dancing in the Czechoslovakian dance group and assisted with various lodge functions. She was a member of St. Paul Apostle Catholic Church where she was a group leader for funeral luncheons, a member of the church CCW and helped with various church functions.

She is survived by children: Bernadette and Sergio Guizzetti of Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Mary and Brad Warren of Maple Rapids, MI, Theresa Beals and Mike Galesk of St. Johns, MI, Patricia and Mike Johnson of Ithaca, MI, Julie Wolven of Maple Rapids, MI, Steven Gavenda and Diane Jammer of Ithaca, MI, Paul Gavenda of Ithaca, MI, 20 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by brother in law Duane Foster of Wheeler, MI, sister in law Mary Lou Spiece of St. Johns, MI and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings: Elaine Maxwell, Durwood Spiece, Floyd "Roy" Spiece, Delray Spiece, Doris Secord, and Phyllis Foster.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul Apostle Catholic Church or Gratiot County Commission on Aging. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI.