Meloen, Alice Jean

Other Events:

• Obituary: 18 Feb 2013; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Alice Jean (Meloen) Sanderfoot - a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who was known as "Allie" by her closest friends - died at 4:03 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, almost a year to the date that her 101-year-old mother Leone Meloen died. Alice was 79 years old.
Born on Dec. 6, 1933, in Appleton, Wis., Alice was a post-Depression baby who quickly learned the value of a dollar and worked hard, long hours to join the ranks of America's middle class. Despite the responsibilities of raising seven children, she achieved economic independence through decades of entrepreneurship and personal sacrifice. And through it all, she remained a caring mother who always made chocolate chip cookies on the first day of school and comforted her children when their hearts were broken.
An excellent student and avid, lifelong reader, Alice was editor of her high school newspaper. Her natural writing ability and office skills led to her first post-graduation job as a medical secretary In Appleton for Dr. William Alfred Dafoe.
Months later, she met Aloysius (Al) Sanderfoot (b. 1931) on a double date, but Al was her girlfriend's companion that night. So Al asked Alice out on a separate date, which ignited the romance. The couple married on Aug. 8, 1953, and immediately began a family, which would include Thomas (b. 1954), Jonathan (1956-1972), Donald (b. 1959), Michael (b. 1960), Richard (1962-2000), Alan (b. 1964), and Catherine (b. 1972).
In 1967, after living and working on a series of farms for several years, Alice and Al moved their growing family to New London, Wis., While Aloysius worked for Curwood, a packaging manufacturer, the couple opened up a recreation center for teenagers. The gathering spot featured a variety a game tables and refreshments, quickly becoming a focal point of teen life in the small town.
Alice's interest in caring for young people went far beyond her own children and the kids who sought her counsel at the rec center. She also became a Cub Scout den mother and taught weekly teenage catechism classes in her home. This civic involvement originated in childhood, when Alice collected tin for WWII munitions and costume jewelry for American soldiers to give to children encountered on the frontlines. Later in life, she was an active volunteer her local hospital's auxiliary.
In the late 1960s, Alice and Aloysius converted their rec center into a trophy shop, which supplied trophies, medals, plaques, and other awards for clubs, organizations and sports leagues throughout the area. Alice did most of the engraving by hand, often in the late night hours after her children were in bed.
In 1972, the same year her only daughter was born, Alice's second oldest son, Jon, died from injuries sustained when the car he was driving collided with a moving train on his way home from running an errand for the family business. To help cope with the tragic loss, Alice took a ceramics class and expressed her feelings through clay sculpture. Many of the pieces featured a mother and child. Some of her other creative outlets over the years included oil painting and playing the organ. She also played a leadership role in the Wolf River Art League.
To diversify the family business, the New London Trophy Shop began selling a range of general merchandise at discount prices. When this sector of the business began accounting for more revenue than the trophy side of the operation, Alice and Al sold the business in 1976 and built a large retail store off of Highway 54 between Royalton and Waupaca. Called Sanderfoot Sales, the business thrived for many years thanks to the long hours worked by Alice, Al, and their kids.
Unfortunately, the business left little time for family vacations, so Alice found relaxation in gardening, floating in the family's backyard swimming pool, and exploring her artistic side. Rural life also forced her to finally get her driver's license at the age of 43, and her driving independence was the thing she missed most at the end of her life.
After their children left home, Alice and Al owned a series of taverns and continued working side-by-side. By 1994, after the couple had already moved back to New London, Alice had had enough of the bar business and retired. Al, however, continues to work.
Alice is preceded in death by her parents Edgar A. Meloen (1901-1964) and Leone C. (Wolff) Meloen (1910-2012), step-sister Betty E. (Matthew) Davis (1922-1987); sons Richard Sanderfoot (1962-2000) and Jon Sanderfoot (1956-1972); and grandson Timothy Sanderfoot (1974).
Alice is survived by her husband Aloysius J. Sanderfoot; children Thomas (Jean) Sanderfoot, Donald (Linda) Sanderfoot, Michael (Roseanne) Sanderfoot, Alan (Jennifer) Sanderfoot, Cathy (Kevin) Yerges; grandchildren Natalie (Sean) Taylor, Erica Sanderfoot, Matthew Sanderfoot, Theresa (Jonathan) Stevens, Carl (Nikki) Sanderfoot, Josh (Clarissa) Fradrich, Jamie (Kristi) Sanderfoot, Katie Sanderfoot, Olivia Sanderfoot, Ivy Leone Sanderfoot, Dale Yerges, Jonathan Yerges; and great-great-grandchildren Thomas Sanderfoot-Maloney, Justin Taylor, Anna Stevens, and Elizabeth Sanderfoot; and brother Sonny (Marilyn) Meloen.
Visitation will be from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church (712 South Pearl St., New London, WI 54961). Mass will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Fr. Arul Joseph officiating and a luncheon to follow. Interment will be at Most Precious Blood Cemetery (just off County Highway W on Bean City Road, New London, WI) at 2:15 p.m.
Published in Appleton Post-Crescent on February 18, 2013

Alice married Sanderfoot, Aloysius Jacob 8 Aug 1953, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA. Aloysius (son of Sanderfoot, Lambert and VanLanen, Esther Julia Frances) was born 15 Aug 1931, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; died 18 Aug 2015. [Group Sheet]

Thomas married Mueller, Eugenie Patricia [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Obituary: 9 Oct 1972; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
Section B, Page 11

Donald married Mackowiak, Linda (daughter of Mackowiak, John Francis and Peeters, Helen) [Group Sheet]

Michael married Swinburne, Roseanne [Group Sheet]

Richard married Fradrich, Kathryn Laura [Group Sheet]

Alan married Tooley, Jennifer [Group Sheet]

Catherine — Yerges, Kevin. [Group Sheet]

Jamie married Langdon, Kristi (daughter of Langdon, Karen and Unknown, Rick) [Group Sheet]