Alice E. Peitso

of Spring Lake Park and most recently Mendota Heights, Minnesota. Born August 25, 1922 on her family’s farm in New Prague, Minnesota to James and Mary Krenik, passed away August 5, 2021.  Alice died the way she lived, her faith in God leading, comforting and nourishing her abundant strength. She was a cancer survivor for more than 55 years. Passages from the Bible were found tucked everywhere. These inspired her, healed her and directed her life of service to God, family and community. Her journey here on Earth was observed by a big heart filled with love of family, friends and care for the earth, all its people and animals. A proud Democrat, Alice was a constant example of truly doing what it takes to make the words “We all do better, when we all do better” real. A strong, smart, brave woman small in stature, humble and simply tailored in appearance Alice was a woman ahead of her time. An informed free thinker, she would often take a stand with action beyond her presumed station to protect the love and values she stood for. She was loyal to her Czech (and Ernie’s Finnish) traditions and travel around the world filled her with new perspectives and kept her ever curious.

Alice was a tailor, waitress, blueprint reader, technical pioneer, a problem solver, top-selling food demonstrator (pizza was her favorite!), organic gardener of flowers, fruits and vegetables whose left brain constantly “trimmed” and created beauty in the spaces around her. Some people are known by one culinary specialty but Alice’s joy of cooking offered “famous for” deliciousness in all tabs of her extensive cookbook collection…most of which was in her head. One could always expect their favorites on the table when a meal was served at the Peitso house. We are grateful for the long life she led and the gifts she shared. Some of Alice’s last words were “I was lucky.” So were we.  We will miss her.

Alice is preceded in death by her siblings: Trudy Schmidt, Helen Filipek, Milo Krenik and Alvin Krenik. Alice will be dearly missed by loving husband of 70 years, Ernest; children: Gary (Debbie), Barbara (Brian) Ruhl, Beverly (Joe) Trevino and Gayle Peitso; grandchildren: Jacob (Jessica), Gabe, Joey, Drew, Corinne and Skyler; great-granddaughters: Mckyla, Krista, Emma and Addison Alice; sister-in-law, Delores Krenik and many other family and friends.

A private service will be held at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary. Alice will be laid to rest at Sunset Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Special thanks for the loving care Alice received from the entire staff at Heart to Home.

The family has requested that everyone wear a mask.