Alice Ann Krause, 98

Alice Ann Krause, 98, passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Private burial will be held at the Clark Fork Cemetery.

Alice was born on July 16, 1918, in Polson, Mont., to Harry and Emma (Whitesitt) Applas. She attended schools and graduated from Ronan High School. She married Paul Sheneman in Polson. This marriage ended in divorce.

Alice then married Leonard Higgins at Shelbyville, Ind.Upon Leonard’s death, Alice moved back to Montana, then Idaho, where she married Bruno Krause.

Alice and Bruno enjoyed 24 wonderful years together, traveling throughout Alaska and all the western states in pursuit of gold, and looking up old acquaintances while living in a camper.

Many will remember them at the Bonner Mall in Pondary, Idaho, as Santa and Mrs. Claus every Christmas for 15 years.

Alice worked hard all her life, first in a paper bag factory in Indiana, then doing restaurant work in Montana while her children were young.

She opened a daycare center in Clark Fork at the age of 70, and work as one of the first employees at Unicep in Sandpoint at the age of 73.

She was a senior companion for 15 years, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Bonner County Gleaners. She continued to care for her great grandchildren as she had for their parents and grandparents. She believed strongly that every child should have the opportunity to attend Sunday school.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, twin brother John Applas, brother Harold Applas and sister-in-law Dorothy, husbands Leonard Higgins and Bruno Krause, daughter Betty Buckmaster, daughter-in-law Donna Higgins, great-grandson Gabriel Butchko, great-granddaughter Alice Buckmaster, and step-son-in-law Bruce Wilsey.

She is survived by sons Jack (Audrey) Sheneman of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Paul (Lindsay) Sheneman of Lake Wales, Fla., Michael (Sandra) Higgins and David Higgins of Clark Fork, stepchildren Maxine Wilsey of Kennewick, Wash., Ben (Jeanette) Krause of Clarkston, Wash., Steve (Lori) Krause of Lewiston, Idaho, niece Donna (Richard) Purvis of Columbus, Ind., 17 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and 7 step great grandchildren.

Alice will be remembered for her love of children, her kind, gentle manner, her contagious laugh and sense of humor, and her tremendous generosity.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Alice’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.