Alice Cross

Heaven just became a little sweeter with the passing of “Sweet” Alice Cross on Tuesday, June 15. Just as she drew family and friends together throughout her life by hosting memorable parties, Alice now takes a seat at the eternal banquet of her Lord and Savior. Rest assured she was prepared with a personally written poem in hand to greet the saints in Heaven as she always did at the many parties she hosted while on this earth.

Alice K. Traeger was born the only child on October 12, 1935 to her parents Elizabeth (Weenike) and Leo Traeger. She married the love of her life John David Cross on June 18, 1955 at St. Mary Church in Davenport.

Through his work in the Major Leagues, Dave introduced Alice to the world of baseball. In support of his work with players and owners, Alice hosted dinner parties around the country. She got to know many baseball greats such as Ernie Banks and Tommy LaSorda. She and Tommy exchanged Christmas cards for many years. Her receptions for the MLB also introduced her to celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, and Cher. One night she was hanging out with Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas and he introduced her to Clark Gable.

Alice was devastated when the love of her life Dave passed on January 12, 1991. Her grief was confounded when her daughter Carol passed away a few years later on July 31, 1993, after losing a long fight with cancer. The two of them were constantly on her mind and she would often share her continued sadness at their passing. She always looked forward to when she would see them once again in Heaven.

God blessed Alice and Dave with two other children. Her daughter Chris lives in New Braunfels, Texas, but was always on the phone with her mom. Chris and her husband Anthony blessed Alice with grandchildren Jessica and David. Jessica’s little boy Jaxon is Alice’s first great-grandchild.

Her son Davey was always at her side. They lived together up and until she was forced to reside at Manor Care. When he was not working, Davey would visit Alice. He made sure that her room’s window was decorated with whatever was being celebrated time of the year. You always knew if it was Easter or the 4th of July by looking at Alice’s Manor Care window which faced Locust street. Davey also gave Alice the gift of two more grandchildren Casey and Kelli. Davey and his girlfriend Linda Mason helped keep Alice’s life as normal as possible these last few years.

The true center of Alice’s being was her Catholic faith which brought her into close relationships with many priests. Before his death, Alice talked on the phone with Monsignor Schmidt every day. Fathers McAleer, McGrath, Apo, and Onderico were trusted friends who were on the guest list for many of her parties. It was Father Brian Miclot who was her constant spiritual and party companion. She was always ready to bake sweet rolls, cakes, and cookies for his St. Ambrose University students. He made sure she received Holy Communion as well as bags upon bags of his party snack mix.

At church she absolutely loved being a Eucharistic minister. When her legs were giving out, Alice would hold onto a chair while ministering communion, always making a special eye connection while gently placing the Body of Jesus in their hands. For many years Alice taught religious education to second graders preparing for Holy Communion. No doubt, she touched the faith of her students as she conveyed her deep love of Jesus. When she was still driving herself to Mass, she literally would hold onto the side of the building and pause many times to catch up with her breathing as she made her way into church.

As a master baker, Alice did everything from “scratch.” She said her two best, go to cakes were chocolate and carrot. When God created our “Sweet Alice,” He didn’t use a box mix. Every part of Alice’s beautiful heart was made from only the best of God’s ingredients. Family and friends have the “taste” of Alice’s memories to live on with them until we are once again seated at her party in Heaven. Together with countless friends and people she blessed with her presence, Alice was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dave and daughter Carol. Those left to mourn her loss are her daughter Chris (Anthony) Martinez and son Dave (Linda Mason) Cross; grandchildren Jessica (Warren) and David Martinez, Casey and Kelli Cross; great-grandchild Jaxon.

Funeral services and a Mass of Christian Burial for Alice will be 10 a.m. Monday, June 21, 2021 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, downtown Davenport.  Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Buffalo.  Visitation will be from 2 until 4 p.m. Sunday at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.  There will be additional visitation at church on Monday from 9a.m. until the time of the Mass.   Memorials can be made to McAnthony Window at St. Anthony for which Alice had a special place in heart for feeding those in need.

We take our leave from Sweet Alice by listening to the words of an Easter poem she wrote. God, give us eyes to see

The beauty of the Spring.

And to behold Your majesty

In every living thing.

And may we see in lacy leaves

And every budding flower

The Hand that rules the universe

With gentleness and power.

And may this Easter grandeur

That Spring lavishly imparts

Awaken faded flowers of faith

Lying dormant in our hearts.

And give us ear to hear, dear God,

The Springtime song of birds

With messages more meaningful

Than man’s often empty words.

Telling harried human beings

Who are lost in dark despair-

‘Be like us and do not worry

For God has you in his care.