Alice Mae Gregerson Ims was born April 26, 1919, in Bert, North Dakota, to Norman and Norma (Knaus) Gregerson.  As a girl she moved with her family to a farm near Nerstrand and  attended country school.  She graduated from Randolph High School in 1937 and received her teacher’s training at Normal School in Red Wing.  Her first teaching job was teaching grades 1-8 at a country school near Dennison. She married Eugene Jerome “Gene” Ims on July 3, 1942, at her parent’s farm near Nerstrand. After marriage Alice stayed with her parents while Gene served in the Army.  Following his discharge in 1944, they lived a short time in Dennison prior to moving to Red Wing.  In 1945, they moved to Vancouver for a year.  Following their return to Nerstrand they farmed. In 1957, they moved to their current home in Northfield.  Alice had several different jobs over the years, including caring for children in her home, working as a cook, working as a post mistress at Carleton College and working at the St. Olaf College print shop.  She retired in 1981.  Gene died on September 21, 2003.  Alice and Gene and Marie and Leonard DeWolfe were good friends for many years. Following Gene and Marie’s deaths, Alice and Leonard enjoyed the company and companionship of each other.

Alice was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, American Legion Auxiliary, the Rainbow Saddle Club, at one time a square dance group, and was a founding member of the Northfield Red Hat Club.  She enjoyed baking, playing cards, dancing, crocheting, and traveling - always ready to go!  She was dedicated to her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she will be fondly remembered.

Survivors include her children: Sharron and husband Bill Hokeness of Mankato, Douglas “Butch” and wife Sue, Paulette and husband James T. Reisinger, Sandy and husband Bill Rowan, all of Northfield; 8 grandchildren: Jeff (Kelley), Brian (Jacque), Scott (Julie), Shelly, Brent (friend Jamie), James Andrew (friend Janine), Jana (Brian), Jena (friend Erik); 8 great-grandchildren: Allison, Ellianna, Michael, Madison, Larssen, Fysher, Kailyn and Easton; 3 sisters-in-law: Harriet Gergerson of Northfield, Velma Ims of Waseca, Darlene Rustad of Cannon Falls; one brother-in-law, Carl Swanson of Owatonna; her special companion Leonard DeWolfe and his family;  nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother Norman Gregerson, and her sisters Eleene Otte and Helen Otte.

Alice passed away with her family by her side on Thursday afternoon, January 19, 2012, at the Northfield Hospital Long Term Care Center, at the age of 92.

Services will be 2:00PM Monday, January 23, 2012, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. Mark Johnson officiating.  Music will be provided by Ruth Legvold and Daniel Fenn.  Refreshments will follow.  Private interment will be in Prairie Creek Cemetery.  Honorary casket bearers are her grandchildren:  Jeff Hokeness, Brian Ims, Scott Ims, Shelly Ims, Brent Rowan, James A. Reisinger, Jana Whitt and Jena Reisinger.  Visitation will be at the church on Monday one hour prior to the funeral.

Memorials are preferred to the Northfield Senior Center, Prairie Creek Cemetery, or the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.