Alyce Egelkraut

Alyce Egelkraut passed away peacefully on August 21at the Legacy in Battle Creek where she had lived for the past year. Alyce Bernece (Walters) Egelkraut was born March 26, 1936 in Ionia, Michigan to parents Elmer Walters and Ruby(Buehler)Walters. The family moved when Alyce was two months old because her dad had gotten a job at the Ford Garage in downtown Battle Creek. She grew up in Verona, where she had many memories of playing with friends. She attended Verona Elementary, W.K. Kellogg and was a 1954 graduate of Battle Creek Central. At BCC she danced in the Band Follies Chorus Line, participated in band and the a Cappella Choir. After high school she received her LPN Nursing degree and worked at Community Hospital. She cared for premature babies and would often recall how she loved her work.

On a trip to the school garden in fourth grade, she noticed a young lad in the back of the bus talking to the older girls. She didn’t see him again in person until she was in junior high. During this time Alyce had found a newspaper article that included his picture, she saved it until she met Elmer Egelkraut about three years later. They began dating in junior high and their romance flourished for a 68-year marriage. They successfully raised three active sons, all Eagle Scouts, a teacher, a preacher and a millwright . Elmer and Alyce enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. From all of their far-reaching travels, their favorite spot was the shores of Lake Michigan in Ludington, Michigan.

Alyce will be remembered for care and kindness for everyone she knew. She was the ultimate mother helping with Cub Scouts, Little League, PTA, fundraisers, and whatever she was asked to do. She also was Elmer’s swimming support team and number one fan. She would do whatever she could to make him go a little faster and longer in the pool. That might be keeping times, preparing special diets, and cheering him on at swimming meets all over the country. She was always right by his side. She served thousands of meals for funeral dinners at Maple Methodist Church where she was a member for over 70 years. Alyce also loved working in retail settings, she had worked at Sally’s Hallmark, Herp’s and Robinson’s. She especially loved working on displays for the stores. Alyce loved to bake, especially cookies. She was known for her Christmas Tea gathering. She started with about four of her friends coming together for Christmas cookies and after 40 years, the group had risen to over 125 friends, neighbors and relatives gathering before Christmas with Alyce and Elmer. She loved to oil paint, fish and spend time with her family. All of her grandchildren have fond memories of making cookies with Grandma.

Alyce loved to write throughout her life. This note, found on an index card, reflects her perfectly. “The greatest gift of all is the friendship and love you receive from friends, family, your children and grandchildren. I’m the most lucky person alive to have had all of these plus a big bonus of a loving, most wonderful husband in the whole world. Thank you, God, for all of these. Trusting you, God has been the biggest reward anyone could have.’’ If you knew Alyce, you knew her kindness and beautiful smile that stayed with her until her last breath. 

Alyce was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Egelkraut and her parents, Elmer and Ruby Walters, nephews Alan Egelkraut and Rick Teichman.

Alyce is survived by her three sons, Bob (Susan), David (Karen), and Paul (Debra), seven grandchildren, Emily (Pat) Okar, Lisa (Jeff) Vogt, Matthew (Kiley) Egelkraut, Annie Egelkraut, Michael Egelkraut, Molly (Jared) Jacques. and Gary Egelkraut. She also has six great grandchildren, Carter, Aubrey, Jackson, Evelynn, Eleanor and Finnegan who was born a week ago. She is also survived by her sister, Donna (Walters) Teichman.

Alyce and her family would like to thank the staff of the Legacy at the Oaks of Battle Creek for their care and love that was given during her yearlong stay. A special thanks to Kelly Fisher-Satterfield and her team that cared for our mother. Her primary care givers were, Quan King, Alicia Barney, Shelby O., Christen Freeman, DoshAmeir Coleman, and Samantha Mayo. So many other weekend workers, kitchen staff and maintenance staff who made each day special.

Friends will be received 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care, where funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Linda Stoddard 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 28, 2024. The service will be live-streamed and may be viewed by visiting: https://vimeo.com/event/4524028. Committal and interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. In Lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Maple Methodist Church or Centrica Care Navigators (Hospice) would be welcomed. Personal messages for the family and favorite memories of Alyce may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.