Alice Rimkus

With an insatiable love for life, Alice Rimkus brought light to the world around her just like the vibrant colors of a rainbow. She was dedicated to tenderly caring for the patients under her care yet she had no problem setting aside her career in order to tend to what she deemed more important – caring for her children. Caring for her family always brought Alice so much joy whether she was tending to her children or her other relatives who were in need of care over the years. Although her loved ones will miss her Thanksgiving meals that were complete with all the fixings, it will be her charitable spirit that will be forever cherished by so many.

During a year in which the Prohibition Amendment was enacted, four million union workers walked off the job, and the First Red Scare spread the fear of communism within the United States, 1919 was a year of trial and tribulation in America. It was a year of great celebration in the family of Frank and Blanche (Golemboski) Jack as they were rejoicing in the birth of their identical twin daughters, Alice Marie and Claire, in Harvey, Illinois. The girls joined two older brothers and one older sister in their family and Alice was technically the younger of the twin girls. There were many priests and nuns in their family and Alice and her sister were quite often chosen to be flower girls. Alice and Claire even won an identical twin contest and were one of the original Zephyr twins in Chicago when they were of course, dressed alike. Alice attended Thornton Township High School in Harvey and graduated in 1937. She then went right into nursing school - St. Bernard's School of Nursing, affiliated with Loyola University.

Great changes were in store for Alice when she went to a dance hall in her hometown in 1940. It was there that she met the man with whom she would write an eloquent love story for over 67 years. His name was Joseph Rimkus and after dating for a time, the couple was married on April 11, 1942 in Ascension Parish in Harvey. Shortly thereafter, Joe went to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. The young bride followed her husband there and Alice worked in a local hospital while he husband performed his duties in the Army. Then in January of 1944, Joe went to both Africa and Europe as part of a hand selected group to be a personal body guard for General Patton as part of the Military Police during WWII.

Once Joseph’s time in the service was fulfilled, the couple returned to Harvey where they settled back into civilian life. Joseph built their home in order to accommodate their family which grew to include three children: Marilynn, Linda, and Michael. Joseph supported his family through his work in the forging industry at Wyman-Gordon while Alice set her career aside in order to care for her children. She was very involved in the lives of her children serving as both a Brownie leader and a room mother. Alice’s fun-loving personality billowed over into her role as a mother as she also took her children and their cousins on numerous hikes and excursions over the years. Once her children were all in school Alice again resumed her nursing career. She worked as a registered nurse at Ingalls Memorial Hospital, and she then managed the office of Drs. Walvoord and Gnade in South Holland, IL.

Although caring for her family and working kept Alice quite busy, there were many other interests that she pursued as often as she could. She maintained a close relationship with her longtime friend of 87 years, Margie Septowski, with whom she enjoyed spending time. Alice also enjoyed the music of the Three Tenors, especially José Carreras, and she loved traveling throughout her life. She and Joseph loved traveling by car and went everywhere from the east coast to California to attend the annual Army reunions. These reunions were always some of their favorite times and they became close friends with many of Joseph’s comrades. Alice and Joe’s membership at their parish held an important place in their lives and so did Joe’s membership with the Knights of Columbus. Alice and Joe also enjoyed remaining abreast of current events and she was especially enjoyed CNN. Everyone knew about her love of angels and she eventually had a large collection, which she cherished.

There were many ways in which Alice was a unique woman. She was both hospitable and charitable and always made sure to care for any of their relatives while they were living in both Harvey, Illinois and in Englewood, Florida where they moved during their retirement years. Alice was drawn to the warmer weather and since her sister lived in nearby Venice, Florida, Alice and Joe called the Englewood area home for 23 years. Alice loved cooking for her family and she was famous for her pork roast. Her Thanksgiving feasts were certainly memorable and they didn’t end with just the traditional turkey dinner either. Later in the evening there was always ham and polish sausage for everyone to enjoy as well.

No matter what she was doing, Alice Rimkus had a way of making every moment special in her own way. She was creative and had a zest for life that often radiated to those around her. Alice was a devoted wife and mother who also maintained a successful career for many years. She enjoyed many things throughout her life while creating precious memories that will live on in the hearts and lives of those she leaves behind. Alice will be dearly missed.

Alice Marie Rimkus of Portage died on November, 27, 2009 at Bronson Hospital. Alice’s family includes her husband of 67 years, Joseph; her children, Marilynn (Jim) Vyverberg of the Kalamazoo area, Linda (Jeffrey) Schultz of the Chicago area, Michael Rimkus of Berkley, CA; 4 grandchildren, LT Col. Bryan (Marsha) Vyverberg of Japan, Paula (Heath) Bedford of West Olive, MI, Joshua Schultz and Jasmine Shultz both of Chicago, Houston, Hunter, Paris Bedford and Sarah Vyverberg. Alice was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Norbert and Monte Jack, 2 sisters; Claire Mull and Irene Walters. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Saturday December 5, 2009 at St. Monica Catholic Church with Fr. Larry Farrell, celebrant. Food and fellowship will follow in the church hall. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign her online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to St. Monica’s or to a charity of your choice.