Alice J. Giefer

Alice Judy Giefer, 74 of Hastings Minnesota passed away at home on July 14, 2022. She was born on December 14, 1947 to Otis and Norma Nelson in Rochester, MN. As the ninth of 15 children, Alice grew up in a home that was short on bedrooms but long on love and laughter. The Nelson family moved to Stewartville MN, where Alice graduated early from high school in 1965. Alice then moved to Minneapolis where she lived in a working girls dorm with a friend and made memories that she spoke fondly of for the rest of her life. It was in Minneapolis that Alice met Wayne Giefer. The soft-spoken but secretly hilarious northwestern Minnesota man captured her attention, so much so that she skipped a date with another man to spend time with Wayne, (sorry, John! Alice and Wayne fell in love and were married on July 22, 1967 and welcomed their first child, Lori, in January 1968, (don’t think too hard about the math there, it was the 60s okay?) In 1969 the young family packed up and moved to Montana, where Wayne worked and they collected and polished rocks in their free time to make into jewelry. Later that year the family moved back to Minnesota before welcoming their second child, Jason, in March 1970. After purchasing some land in Vermillion, MN, the Giefers built a home where they spent the next 35 years raising their family, many assorted pets and cultivating their extensive vegetable and flower gardens. Alice and Wayne made many cherished lifelong friendships in Vermillion, and many nights were spent laughing and telling stories around the card table while playing euchre. Alice was an avid birdwatcher, excellent cook, and amateur artist. She loved painting, writing poetry, and sewing and crocheting. Alice collected and made dolls and even made clothes for them, until 1993 when she got a living doll to dress up and make clothes for when Lori had her daughter Nora. Alice had many different jobs throughout her life, but her two favorites were working at the Hastings Farmers Market (discounts on flowers, hello!) and being a grandma. Alice provided childcare for Nora during her early years and delighted in teaching her all manner of things; some practical skills, such as baking, sewing, and whistling and some less practical skills, such as playing pranks. Their favorite target for pranks was Wayne, who was always a good sport, even when they found a rock that looked just like a baked potato for his dinner plate. Alice always loved children, and enjoyed visits with her many nieces, nephews and neighbor children throughout the years. In 2011, after 42 years of marriage, Wayne passed away. Shortly thereafter, Alice moved into Hastings proper and achieved a lifelong goal of living in the boundary for delivery pizza. Alice became a grandmother again in 2013 when Harris was born to Jason and his wife Jill. Harris brought much excitement to the family, and Alice loved to watch him learn and grow and always kept the treat cabinet stocked for Harris’ visits. One of her final days was spent delighting in Harris’ company and getting to watch him ride his bike around the neighborhood before eating ice cream cones together. Alice was a spitfire with a quick wit who loved people, especially children. She made friends everywhere she went and loved to chat about anything and everything. She is preceded in death by her parents, Norma and Otis, husband, Wayne, siblings, Henry, David, Marilyn, Jim, and Peter. She is survived by her daughter Lori, son Jason, daughter in law Jill, grandchildren Nora and Harris, her siblings Karen, Nancy, Tom, Mark, Ruth, Steven, Eric, Christine, and Sarah as well as many nieces, nephews and countless friends. An Alice (is) In Wonderland Celebration of Life will take place at her home (1771 Carleton Place in Hastings) on Sunday, July 24 from 1 to 4 pm. Whimsical/tea party-style dress encouraged. The family requests no flowers or memorials, cards of condolence may be sent to the same address. Arrangements are being handled by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.