Alice Mae Stecklein TauscherOctober 5, 1927 - October23, 2015Alice May Stecklein Tauscher, of Blackfoot, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2015, with her children by her side. The daughter of Theodore and Philomena Stecklein, she was born on October 5, 1927, in Buckeye Township, Kansas. When she was six months old, the family moved to Blackfoot, Idaho. She attended St. Margaret's Catholic School through the eighth grade and graduated from Blackfoot High School in 1943, having completed her high school requirements in three years.Alice began her working career at a Pocatello bank. During that time she met Edward Tauscher. She commented to her mother, "Who would be crazy enough to marry him?" November 14, 1945, they became husband and wife. At that time Alice dedicated her life to becoming a loving wife and a caring mother of their six children.As a homemaker Alice was a master cook, an excellent seamstress and a hard-working farm wife. Each holiday she would prepare her famous "galuschkas" (pigs in the blanket), a true family tradition.In her role as a mother, she served as a Brownie and 4-H leader, carpool driver and cheerleader of all her children's various activities. In her later years, she crocheted 27 afghans as a special Christmas gift for each of her children, their spouses and all her grandchildren.Alice was a pillar in St. Bernard's Catholic Church. She was a leader in the Altar Society, assisted Ed with bingo, manned the fair booth for many years, spearheaded Octoberfest and coffee hour and was on the finance council at the time of her death. She also was instrumental in the recent remodel of the hall kitchen.She played an active role in the Blackfoot B.P.O. Does Drove #190 Chapter. She served in each office of leadership, worked on fundraisers and other DOE activities.In 1973 Ed and Alice, along with Wynn Beebe, started Ed's Paint Store and Ed's Painting Contractor in Blackfoot. They operated the businesses until 1980 when they retired to Arizona. They sold the businesses to Wynn Beebe and Gary Baumgartner. Both companies are still in business today. Gary Baumgartner, their nephew, owns and operates Blackfoot Paint and Glass and Randy, their son, owns and operates Ed's Painting Contractor.Mom and Dad's first priority was always their children, who will forever remember their loving generosity, especially on celebrations and holidays. They were extremely pleased and proud of the work ethic of their children and their families. Mom was a very nonjudgmental mother and let her children live their own lives.In 2008 Alice was honored as a Woman of Achievement, by Blackfoot Zonta International.She is survived by her children, Sharon (Jim) Manning, Pocatello; Joyce (Chuck) Simmons, Tennessee; Sandra (Wynn) Beebe, Blackfoot; Janet (Stan) Matsuura, Blackfoot; Larry (Kathy) Tauscher, Blackfoot and Randy (Karen) Tauscher, Idaho Falls; 16 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, LaVerelle (Deanna) Stecklein; sisters-in-law: Lucille Stecklein, Sara (Ed) Norby, Gloria Ann Barrus and Catherine Waters; brother-in-law Ted Tauscher and good friend Wanda Burgoyne.She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edward; her parents, Ted and Philomena and one brother, Elmer Stecklein.The DOES will conduct a commemorative ceremony on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at 6 p.m. at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Ave, Blackfoot, which will be followed by the reciting of the Rosary. The family will meet with family and friends from 7 to 9 p.m. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, October 30, 2015, at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 584 W. Sexton St., Blackfoot, followed by interment at the Grove City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the St. Bernard's Restoration Fund, 584 W. Sexton St., Blackfoot, Idaho 83221.