Sutton, NE., resident Alyce Mary Leininger, 93, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2023, at her home in Sutton.
A Rosary will be prayed at 10:00 a.m., Friday, April 21, 2023, at St.
Mary’s Catholic Church in Sutton, NE. Mass of Christian Burial will be
conducted at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 21, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic
Church in Sutton, NE., with Father Doug Daro officiating. Interment will
follow at Calvary Cemetery near Sutton, NE. Visitation will be
Thursday, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00
p.m. – 7:00 p.m., at Sutton Memorial Chapel in Sutton, NE.
In lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be designated later.
Condolences may be left at www.suttonmemorial.com.
Born on February 23, 1930, Alyce was the daughter of Fred and Etta
Leininger and grew up on a farm near Sutton. She attended Sutton High
School and went on to attend Marymount College in Salina, Kansas for one
year, before embarking on a career in teaching that would span over 40
years.
After Marymount, Alyce taught school in Kearney and
North Platte, Nebraska. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with an
elementary education major from Kearney State College. She then began
teaching first-grade pupils in the Lincoln, Nebraska, public schools.
While teaching, Alyce earned her master’s degree in elementary
education from the University of Nebraska. She taught at McPhee
Elementary School (next to the State Capitol), in Lincoln, Lancaster
County, Nebraska. McPhee was associated with the University of Nebraska
in Lincoln, using the school to train students working towards a degree
in education. The room's walls were made of glass, so that the UNL
students could observe the teachers’ teaching methods. Alyce was known
for her innovative teaching methods and served as a mentor for aspiring
educators.
After retiring in 1990, Alyce returned to her
parent’s farm in Sutton, where she lovingly cared for her mother Etta,
until Etta’s death in 1999 at the age of 99.
Throughout her
life, Alyce was a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in
Sutton and served in the Altar Society. She was an avid gardener, coach,
singer, sewer, and crafter, and her family and friends fondly remember
her joyous demeanor and many talents. We enjoyed her homemade angel food
cakes and rhubarb custard pies for our birthdays, and her sweet
potatoes during the holidays. She tended to her beautiful flower gardens
spread over most of the family’s farmstead. She especially loved roses
and hollyhocks. She coached summer softball teams in Sutton for many
years. She sang with The Melodears of Hastings (a barbershop chorus of
about 25 women). She served as a mentor for the TeamMate Mentoring
Program within the Sutton public schools. She attended Cornhusker
Football games and was a season ticket holder from 1958 to 2022. In her
93 years, Alyce touched the lives, of countless individuals throughout
her career in education and her involvement in her community. She will
be deeply missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in
death by her parents Fred and Etta (Lohmeier) Leininger, and her
siblings Marguerite (Oscar) Rodgers, Lynn Leininger, Gene (Dona)
Leininger, Max (Regina) Leininger, Anthony Leininger, Ken Leininger, Leo
(Delores) Leininger, Duane Rasby, and Jacqueline (Richard) Ochsner.
She is survived by her sister Joan Rasby of Sutherland, Nebraska, her
brother Steve (Marcia) Leininger of Sutton, Nebraska, sister-in-law Ann
Leininger of Wyoming, and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.