ALICE KRISTINE EIDE 1915-2005
Alice Kristine EIDE
November 8, 1915-May 10, 2005
Born in Kopervik, Norway, Alice will be remembered for her strength and positive energy, her love of people and devotion to family. Before age 10, Alice assumed a maternal role, helping her mother with four younger siblings. She married Toralv T. Eide when she was in her mid-twenties and bore three children before leaving Norway for Portland in 1953. She was widowed in 1959, yet vowed to raise her family in America.
To support her family, she worked in the men's department of JC Penney, first in Lake Oswego and later in Salem.
Alice always embraced life and had many friends. She was a lifetime member of Sons of Norway (Greig Lodge) and Order of Vasa (Harmoni Lodge). She loved to dance and was active in Salem Senior Clubs after her retirement. She traveled often to Norway and hosted Norwegian family member in her home in Oregon.
After suffering a stroke at age 77, Alice fought valiantly to stay connected to her life and her family. Through 12 years of stroke-related afflictions, including loss of speech, she never lost her smile and her ability to greet everyone with a hug. She was an inspiration to the end. She will be lovingly remembered by everyone whose life she touched.
Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Toralv, and her son, Tor B. Eide. She is survived by her daughter, Kristbjorg Eide Fisher, her son Jan M. Eide, and seven grandchildren: R. Sean O'Harra, Brooke O'Harra, Josh O'Harra, Suzanne Eide, Scott Eide, Jenny Eide, and Eric Eide. She was preceded in death by her brother, Henry Aksnes of N.Y. and is survived by fived siblings in Norway. Birker Aksnes, Esther Oftedal, Liv Espedal, Bjork Melting, and Marit Waldeland. Her older brother, Deinis Aknes, who had often visited her in America, died on May 14--four days after Alice. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Interment will be at Riverview Cemetery on May 19. Alice's family will celebrate her life in a memorial gathering on Jun 4, 2005.
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I was a small child when I first met the Eide family--fresh from Norway. My sisters and I played with Jan and Kristbjorg--for several months before we could verbally communicate. They spoke Norwegian, we spoke English. I remember Alice's eiderdown bed. . .and the smell of fish dumplings cooking on the stove for supper. It was a warm and cozy feeling in their home.
I lost touch with the family over the years, but my mother sent me Mrs. Eide's obituary and I wanted to post it to this board.
This is true: Mrs. Eide will be lovingly remembered.