Alyce Obertin, former first lady of New London, Wisconsin (1978-80, 80-82, 84-86) died peacefully in her sleep from breast cancer on March 11, 2022.
Alyce was born on January 16, 1926 in Rice Lake, WI. She was the youngest of four children of the late Andrew and Rose Kunesh. Alyce grew up on a dairy farm near Haugen, WI. After high school she was employed by the Wisconsin Telephone Company in Eau Claire and was subsequently transferred to Fond du Lac where she met Joseph. They were married in 1953. After stints in Ashland and Lake Geneva, the family moved to New London in 1959. Alyce was the loving mother of four children: Kathy Olsen (Cliff), Pocatello, Idaho; Joe Obertin (Sue) New London, WI; Jolene Obertin, Seattle, WA, and Pat (Linda) Obertin, Mt Holly, NC. When the children were small, Alyce worked for Waupaca County with the developmentally challenged adults and then Demming Insurance for several years. She worked at St. Joseph Residence for 20 years as an administrative assistant. She was a member of Most Precious Blood Catholic Church and was active in the Altar Society, the Senior Sodality, and with her dear friends the “Women of Rummage”. She moved to Idaho to experience mountain living to be near Kathy for her final years. At her Senior Living Residence, she started a bi-monthly book club, a weekly yoga exercise group, and then mobilized a knitting group which produced three beautiful knit quilts and hand embroidered pillowcases for the Pocatello homeless shelter. She was known as a go-getter and advocated for frequent fire drills. Alyce was an active volunteer in her community. She was a den leader and publicity chairperson for Boy Scouts, a Girl Scout leader and an election volunteer. Alyce enjoyed reading, gardening, knitting, and welcoming new neighbors with fresh baked goods.
She is survived by four beloved grandchildren: Andrea Freimuth (Kurtis), Alicia Obertin, Joe Obertin (Alex), Chris Olsen, and three great-grandchildren: Fiona and Dale (Freimuth), and Leo Obertin. Alyce was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Kunesh and Rose Fencl, her siblings: Victor Kunesh, Blanche Bergman, and Evelyn Stodola and her husband, former mayor of New London, Joseph Obertin.
Visitation will be held March 31, 2022 at Cline Hanson Funeral Home from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. -7 p.m. and April 1 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in New London.
A funeral mass will be held at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in New London on Friday April 1 at 11:00 a.m.
Alyce, her sister, and her two daughters all fought breast cancer. Alyce was a volunteer many years for American Cancer Society’s Reach for Recovery Breast Cancer Support Group and a passionate supporter of cancer detection and education. In lieu of flowers, please support daughter Jolene who will be walking in her 7th Breast Cancer Susan G. Koman 3 Day Walk, Chicago, IL, Sept 2022. Make sure to include Jolene’s personal link to donate on line, http://www.the3day.org/goto/Jolene_Obertin; or a charity which encourages young readers.
Cline & Hanson Funeral Homes & Cremations in New London is serving the family.