Obituary of Alice Emily Praud

It is with heavy hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie, and wonderful friend, Alice, on Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 at the Strathmore Hospital.

Alice was born in Bassano, AB, and was the oldest of the six children of the late Bill and Marion Kuchle. She grew up on the family farm at Hussar and had many stories to tell about life on the farm as well as attending the one room schoolhouse where her mom taught. After graduating from Hussar School, Alice attended Mount Royal College to take nurse’s aide training. She never worked as a nurse as she came home to help her family. In 1965 she married Allan and they lived at Earl Johnson’s farm outside of Hussar and started their family. In 1968, wIth 2 boys in tow they moved to the community of Cluny. Here they added a daughter and son. Alice resided at Cluny until her passing.

Alice was a homemaker and was always helping the neighbors with moving cows, driving grain truck at harvest and various other jobs. Alice spent many years as a school bus driver and loved this very much. She treated all the kids like her own and enjoyed every minute she got to spend with them on her bus. Whether it was driving charter to field trips or extra-curricular activities or taking kids to outdoor ed camp they all knew that Alice had a snowbrush on the bus and she wasn't afraid to use it. Alice was more than a bus driver. She was a caregiver and friend to everyone who had the privilege of being her passenger.

Alice also held the passion of sewing, quilting, crafting, woodworking, needle work, upholstery work, knitting and crocheting. There are many stories of Alice burning the candle at both ends to finish a wedding dress for an eager bride or to get a custom order for a ski jacket finished. If she was working with her hands she was happy. Alice shared countless hours with those who also enjoyed these things. It brought her true joy and happiness to share this love.

Alice lived with an open door policy to her home. If you showed up at a meal time she would just add an extra potato to the pot. The coffee was always on and she welcomed anyone at all hours for any reason. She was always there with a warm smile and a hearty laugh. If you needed someone to help you with crafting advice or a shoulder to cry on, you knew where to turn. Alice was full of compassion and care. Whether it be attending one of her kids or grandkids events, family functions, community events, taking care of kids on her school bus, or welcoming in your family while you were dealing with hard and painful times, she always did so out of love and generosity for others. Alice was unassuming. She never expected or asked for anything in return. She did it because that’s what she believed in: taking care of each other. People like Alice do not come into our lives often, which makes it all the more devastating to say goodbye. Our family and community is less without Alice.

Alice is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of fifty-seven years, Allan. Her children Remi (Lori) of Lethbridge, AB., Darcy (Tammy) of Gleichen, AB., LeeAnn of Strathmore, AB, and Cody (Bonni) of Calgary, AB. Her grandchildren Jenna (Ryan), Jayda, Tianda, Dakoda, McKenna, Gage, Braeden, and Kennedy. Her great-grandchildren Kaytlin, Kenneth, Isabella, Tenley, Ainsley, and Ava.

Our family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support both to us and to Alice. Thank you also to Dr. Young and all the Strathmore Hospital staff who cared for her and supported us. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 27, 2022 at Cluny Community Hall at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made directly to: The Gleichen-Cluny United Fund, Box 9, Gleichen, AB. T0J 1N0.