Alice Marie (Swartz) Truscott passed away peacefully on July 5, 2024, at the age of 83 in Duluth, Minnesota. She was born on November 2, 1940 in Duluth, Minnesota to Elmer and Edith Swartz. Alice was known for her kindness, positive attitude, and self-sacrificing nature. She always sought to put the needs of others before her own and found joy in the simple blessings of life.

Alice grew up on a country farm in Normanna Township and carried the spirit of her upbringing into every aspect of her life. Her grandparents emigrated from Sweden in 1905 and developed the homestead she grew up on. Her grandmother lived with them through her childhood. She attended Bloomingdale Elementary School and later Clover Valley High School, where this cheerleader first met her future husband, Bill Truscott. The high school sweethearts married in 1957 and built a life filled with love, laughter, and dedication to family.

During childhood, Alice had lots of fun with siblings and other extended family living close by. She spent countless hours riding bike up and down the country roads with her cousins and helping with farm chores like milking cows, collecting eggs, and tending the large vegetable garden. Corn on the cob was a favorite of hers. One of Alice's fondest childhood memories was learning to bake with her mother. Her favorites were applesauce with dumplings and homemade bread. She also has fond memories of listening to her mother and grandmother sing together. She loved when they sang, "Jesus Loves Me".

Professionally, Alice was as versatile as she was hardworking. After high school, she worked at North Shore Elementary School in the kitchen and with the US Forest Service planting pine trees. Alice spent many years as Supply Center and Distribution Center Manager for Maurices in downtown Duluth and later worked for Glass Block Department Store at the Miller Hill Mall. Alongside Bill, she co-owned and operated a small business, where she took on the bookkeeping duties.

Alice and Bill formed a lifelong partnership where they created a wonderful life for their family. They built and remodeled several homes during their life together. Alice worked alongside Bill every step of the way. During those projects, she was usually found painting or staining and always kept the work site cleaned up and organized. Between house projects, the two of them found time to have fun with their four children, whether camping in a canvas tent, where bunk bed cots were a necessity to make room for everyone, or playing cards and board games around the kitchen table. Alice and Bill also found time to get away with friends and family to play cards, go on snowmobile trips and fall bird hunting where they always came home with adventures to tell about.

As Alice's children grew and began to get married, she was blessed with seven grandchildren and loved each one uniquely and immensely. Each grandchild has many fond memories of time spent with her. She taught them how to make cardamom rolls, plant garden seeds, crochet and knit, paint holiday bird houses, bake frosted cut out cookies, and how to tease and enjoy life. As the years moved forward, Alice was given the gift of five great-grandchildren. She also formed special relationships with each of them and "lit up" when they came for a visit.

It was during these years where her love of collecting grew. She adored her doll collection, music box collection, and the countless pieces of her Christmas village. Alice also spent hours on her crafts; crocheting afghans and scrubbies, beading, and painting bird houses. She found great pleasure in gifting these items to family and friends. Alice also found great satisfaction in baking fresh treats for loved ones. She always had a supply of homemade muffins in the freezer for Bill's breakfast and cookies for daily coffee breaks. She kept the garage freezer stocked, meaning Bill didn't even need to leave his garage in order to enjoy a treat. Alice also kept track of each family member's favorite cookie and baked each one at Christmas time (21 total)!

Alice loved spending time traveling in their RV. She efficiently stocked the RV with essentials and was able to continue cooking and baking while away from home. She was a master navigator on their road trips, whether traveling to new destinations like Nova Scotia (a favorite), or wintering in Arizona, where Alice spent countless hours crafting and visiting with friends. These were treasured years for the two of them as they built wonderful friendships with so many other RVers.

Alice and Bill remained inseparable until Bill's passing just five months ago. Alice bravely lived the last few months after she lost the love of her life in January of 2024. Two short months after losing her husband of 66 years, she learned she had brain cancer. She faced the journey with strength and gratitude for all she had been given in life. During those final weeks she continually expressed gratitude for how blessed her life had been and how thankful she was for the excellent care she was given by every person on the team of caregivers at Solvay Hospice House. She was often heard saying, "How blessed I am", in her sleep, while awake and even in the final hours.

Alice's legacy of kindness, generosity, and love will live on through the many lives she touched. Her family and friends will miss her dearly but take comfort in knowing that her spirit remains with them in every cherished memory and tradition.

Alice was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Truscott; grandson, Jacob Norman; sisters, Lois Carter and Dorothy Rouleau; and brother, Everett Swartz.

Alice is survived by her children, Ronald Truscott, Cheryl (Richard) Asperheim, Susan (Nathan) Norman, and Roger (Marsha) Truscott; grandchildren, Matthew Asperheim, Stephanie (Justin) Patterson, Amanda (Brayden) Ward, Jessica (Devon Clark) Norman, Andrew Truscott, and Stephan Truscott; great-grandchildren, Kamdyn, Kaitlyn, Teagan, Christian, and Lucy; sister, Carol Wiita; along with many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 17th at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, with Memorial Service at 3:00 PM and reception to follow.

In memory of Alice, donations can be made to Solvay Hospice House.