Alice J. Roshau, 87, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, December 13, 2020. Public Visitation for Alice will be at Ladbury Funeral Service from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, December 20, 2020. A private Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Dickinson. Interment will be at the Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.
Alice Roshau was born on December 1, 1933, in Billings County of North Dakota, the daughter of George and Agnes (Pavlenko) Dowhaniuk. She was raised and educated in Billings County. In addition, she attended the Mother of God Academy in Connecticut.
Alice is survived by six children, Glen (Marion) Roshau, Dickinson, Deb (Lon) French, Broomfield, Colo., Curt (Xing Gang) Roshau, Kunming, China, Doug (Janet) Roshau, Albuquerque, N.M., Joan (Leon) Steckler, Williston, Paul (Colleen) Roshau, Lewisburg, W.Va.; thirteen grandchildren, Angela (Trevor) Ernst, Jessica (Jesse) Hentges, Casey (Tiffany) Roshau, Kelly (Courtney) Roshau, Jennifer (Austin) Porter, Sarah (Jeff) Wegert, Hannah (Eric) Zamora, Jed (Lindsay) Bloms, Amanda Monroe, Luke (Bailey) Steckler, Zach (Paxtyn) Steckler, Jake Roshau and Sam Roshau; twenty great-grandchildren, McKenna, Claire and Aiden Ernst, Owen and Olivia Hentges, Logan, Colton, Clayton, Teegan, Reese and Kade Roshau, Landon and Eden Porter, Theo Wegert, Ava, Lennon and Delphine Zamora, Lincoln, Felix and Milo Steckler; and two siblings, Mike Dowhaniuk, El Paso, Texas, and Max Dowhaniuk, Ellsworth, Wis.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents, George and Agnes (Pavlenko) Dowhaniuk; parents-in-law, Carl and Margaret (Boespflug) Roshau; husband Ralph J. Roshau; brothers, Anton, Harry, Alex and Frank Dowhaniuk, sister, Jeanette DeBauche; infant sister and brother; brothers and sisters-in-law; and two great-grandsons, Matthew Roshau and Max Steckler.
Alice married Ralph J. Roshau on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1955 at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. Alice and Ralph met at First National Bank in Dickinson. She worked as a teller at First National Bank, a bakery manager at a local grocery store, an accountant at a family-owned travel agency as well as other employment. But her main profession was being a devoted wife to Ralph and wonderful mother to her family. Anyone who knew Alice, knew of her fierce devotion for her family. She always had a warm smile and words of encouragement and wisdom for friends and strangers.
When God gave out gifts and talents, He was generous to Alice. God gave Alice creativity and extraordinary talents. Alice played organ. One of her favorites was, “Somewhere my Love”. She excelled in her painting skills. Her sewing and quilting were also well known. Even in her last years, many of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren raved about their gifts of baby quilts. In her last years, she was even teaching quilting and sewing skills to her “Golden Girl” neighbors. She received numerous awards for her paintings and quilts.
She had a special talent to command a room. Her passions and love were strong. She loved visiting, even into the night, when the younger folk were tired and wanted to go to sleep. Alice was an extraordinary woman, who has lovingly touched all of us, family and friends. Alice will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
