Alice Marie (Theyerl) Piekarski

Alice Marie (Theyerl) Piekarski, 95, formerly of Manitowoc, returned to Heaven on July 19, 2013 at the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home with her daughter and granddaughter at her side.  Alice was born on March 6, 1918, in Chilton, to Matthias and Rose (Rott) Theyerl.

Alice attended St. Boniface Grade School, and was a graduate of Lincoln High School in Manitowoc.  She was a Girl Scout, life-long Chicago Cubbies Fan, and a member of Holy Family Parish.

At age 16, Alice joined the Billy Schultz Indoor Circus Troupe at the Manitowoc Vocational School Gym, where she learned and performed acrobatics and aerialist skills.  Alice turned professional in 1937 and toured with the Moreen Troupe of Jeffersonville, IN.  They toured every state east of the Mississippi and Canada where Alice performed five aerial acts.  Her double trapeze is displayed at the Baraboo Circus Museum.  The signature opening song to her appearances was “Alice Blue Gown”.

Alice married John A. Piekarski in Manitowoc on December 31, 1941.  They resided in the Manitowoc area until their retirement.  The couple relocated to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas after several years of travel throughout the U.S.

Alice is survived by her daughter Jane (Pekarske) Augustine Moody of Fond du Lac; two sons, Tom Pekarske of Arbor Vitae, WI and David Pekarske (Geralyn) of Kiel, WI; six grandchildren: Barbe (Jeffrey) Ratzburg of Fond du Lac, Thomas Augustine and family of Texas, Andrew (Kim) Pekarske and Anthony (Stephanie) Pekarske both of Madison, and Matthew and Jacob Pekarske; seven great grandchildren: Bailey and Olivia Ratzburg, Amethyst, Ashley, Anthony, Twins Amanda and Allysa Augustine; and one great-great granddaughter Alora.  She is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends, and caregivers from Comfort Keepers especially Linda Whitrock, Pastor Dean Desilet, the amazing staff of the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home, and Agnesian Hospice Hope.

She was preceded in death by her husband John in 1994, her sister Pearl (Theyerl) Stockinger of Manitowoc and her brother Vernon (Josie) Theyerl of Francis Creek.

Alice resided at Deneveu Creek Apartments in Fond du Lac for 11 years and moved to the Fond du Lac Lutheran Home in February of 2011.

Visitation:  Family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, July 26, 2013, at Holy Family Church, 271 4th Street Way, Fond du Lac, from 2:45 to 3:45 pm.

Service:  A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4:00 pm on Friday at Holy Family Church.  Cremation has taken place.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Manitowoc.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the family for a memorial fund established to Alice’s selected charities.

Zacherl Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.  www.zacherlfuneralhome.com