Alice Berta Hershberger

Alice B Heinrich was born on January 28th 1941 in Bueten, Germany. In 1945, her family moved to Passau, Germany as the Soviets claimed and renamed her birthplace Bytom, Poland. Her youth was spent in the turmoil of post WWII, with Germany long suffering from the infrastructure damage and senseless personal losses. Her father, Georg was kidnapped by the Russians for his skill as a baker and didn't return from the Russian front immediately after the war. Her mother, Marianna, finally found Georg as she was walking towards the front pushing Alice in a wheelbarrow. He had a unstable bullet in his head. They left most of their possessions behind and started anew in Passau. Sadly, Alice was orphaned at 13 years old. Her mother died of cancer and her father eventually lost his mind and died. Though she had led a sheltered childhood, she learned how to manage.

Life became sweeter when she found her soulmate in Munich. It was love at first sight and she told her lifelong girlfriend, Irmi Sitta, "That is the man I will marry". Melvin Hershberger was raised Amish in Indiana and lied about his young age to get into the US Army and explore the world. Melvin was stationed in Munich as a US Army soldier and soon became Alice’s husband. They were married in September 1961 and were near inseparable until his death in October 1999.

For Alice, participating in life meant activities and travel. Despite or maybe because of her struggles in youth, Alice made sure to celebrate life with frequent vacations, water and snow skiing, and costume parties. She spent lots of time preparing the dishes, decorations and family outfits for these celebrations. Week-end bar-b-ques were the norm after a day of water skiing on Belton Lake. Both Alice and Melvin were known for concluding a party with a waltz into the swimming pool in full costume. With her love of music and dancing they were often the life of the party. Alice translated this joy of living and celebrating life to her two children, Richard Melvin, and Kitty Anna. Education was important to Alice and she taught her children about life reminding them to "Look, Listen and Learn". With little more than a high school education herself, she ensured her children were able to discover and have their own adventures: horseback riding, skiing and more travel. Richard and Kitty both graduated from college: being the first in the family to complete a higher education. But Alice also believed a strong foundation in religion was necessary for personal stability. She raised both her children as Catholics: Richard became an altar boy. Though she didn't find a church in Texas she felt comfortable in (nothing could compare to the grand European cathedrals she grew up with), she appreciated Pastor Dr. Bailey who broadcast his service and sermons from a Southern Baptist church in Dallas on television. His words made sense to her and she required her children to sit and listen to those services for years.

Politics was a large part of Alice becoming an American citizen. She considered the right to vote and participate as her duty as an educated woman and a resident in America. The holiday dinner table was the venue for debates often started with the final course: the serving of dessert and coffee. It didn't always matter what side you were on but whether you could make your point.

After Melvin passed in 1999, Alice's focus became her home, along with building local friendships: Ingrid (neighbor), Helga (business savvy consultant), Charlie (Handiman) and Sandra (house maintenance) were ever present over the years. She depended on them. Her home became her sanctuary. It was her joy and constantly in her thoughts. She felt at peace and with Melvin most when she was home looking at her memories. It is in her last years that her original Catholic faith grew to having a closer relationship with Jesus. Through both long discussions with her son Richard and the example of her grandson, Joshua, that she came to better understand the nature of Christ's Love and his promises of peace.

Alice's two children both provided her with grandchildren: Richard married Debbie Reeves and begot Joshua (minister). Joshua married Kimila Leach and begot two great grandchildren: Judah (5 years) and Norah 2 years). Richard’s daughter Deanna (nurse) married Brian Peelgren. Deanna has Alice's love of travel and has already visited Europe several times. Alice's daughter Kitty (engineer) married and divorced but begot Marcos Samaniego (engineering student).

Alice's joy of living and beauty will not be easily forgotten and will carry on with her family and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com for the Hershberger family.