It is with heavy but grateful hearts that the family of Alice Irene (Randall) Bower announces her unexpected passing at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska on November 4, 2026 at the age of 94 years, 10 months, and 2 days.

Alice Bower was born January 2, 1932 to Albert and Rowena Randall of Ottumwa, Iowa where she was raised.  Alice was the second oldest of eleven children. Surviving siblings include Donna Shepherd, Susie (Doyle) Dick, Ann (Joe) Newcomb, Marilyn Southam, Jerry (Jan Stewart) Randall, and Clancy Randall.  Alice was preceded in death by her older sister, Virginia Simonds, and brothers, Johnny Randall, Jimmy Randall and Kathy Stewart. Alice had one daughter, Jeannie Louann McCarter (Richard Schmidt), and three stepsons, Rollin Bower (deceased), Russ (Susan) Bower, and Randy (Kris) Bower.  Alice had two grandchildren (Jeannie’s) – Jared (Kendra) Higley, Jordan (Caleb) Wittenburg, and two great-grandchildren, Judah Wittenburg and Ezekiel Wittenburg, and three step grandsons, Joshua (Lori) Schmidt and great-granddaughters, Evangeline, Cora, and Mirielle, Jared (Tanya) and great grandson, James, Johnathan (Bridget) and great-granddaughters, Madison and Isabella. Two grandchildren (Russ’s) – Derek (Erin) Bower, and great-granddaughter, Abigail, and Sonya (Adam) Unsell, and great-grandchildren – Grant and Stella. She had four grandchildren (Randy’s) – Stephanie (Rick) Hestermann, and great grandchildren, Courtney (Shayne) Cone, Tyler (Taylor) Hestermann, Zachary (Kelsey) Hestermann, and Joshua Hestermann, and Michael (Darcy) Bower, and great-grandchildren Brandon, Elissa and Kynlee, and Matthew (Keri) Bower, and great-grandchildren Henry and Caleb, and Sara (Gavin Metzger) Bower. Alice was also blessed with 5 great-great grandchildren, Carson, Crew, and Charlie Cone, and Owen and Judah Hestermann.

Alice attended Oak Park Academy in Nevada, IA and Union College in Lincoln Nebraska. She was known for her singing voice. By request, she sang to the other girls in the dorm at Oak Park, and often for church in Iowa and Missouri.  She married E. Jean McCarter in 1955 after college and worked for three years as a schoolteacher in a one-room schoolhouse in Missouri. She moved with her daughter, Jeannie, to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1964 and worked as a linotype operator (typesetter) for College View Printers until 1983. Alice married Dale Bower in 1974. They worked for many years as beekeepers, selling honey to many local stores and honey supplies out of their home. Alice spent her days caring for grandchildren, gardening, playing UNO and doing crossword puzzles, putting puzzles together with Dale, and preparing bottles of honey for distribution. Dale passed away in 2012, and Alice moved to a retirement community condo in Lincoln where she continued to live independently until her passing.

Alice found great delight in caring for, teaching, and entertaining children.  She was involved in teaching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to read and sing songs that she remembered from childhood and youth. During her later years she found great joy in attending church and great-grandchildren’s programs and concerts and putting a lamb’s offering in the baskets of small children during children’s story time.  Alice enjoyed shopping at a leisurely pace and going out to eat.  She also thoroughly enjoyed studying the Bible with a great friend from church.  She had an extraordinary team of medical professionals that she appreciated greatly.

Alice passed down values to her family such as a determined faith and trust in the mighty power and love of God, a strong sense of right and wrong, compassion for the less fortunate, passion for the next generation of children, and great delight in all things music.  She loved to laugh and make others laugh.  Her ready sense of humor drew a smile and made life’s complexities a little lighter for everyone in her sphere. She will be missed every moment of every day until Jesus returns and we are together again.

Psalm 121:8 (KJV) “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” This was the verse that Alice just finished memorizing, and our gift to you.

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