Alice Rae Wickham

Alice Rae Stockham Wickham, 91, peacefully departed this earthly life as the sun rose on Sunday, April 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on June 22, 1933, to Lu J. Stockham and Hazel Pitman, at home in Milo, Idaho. She was the youngest sister to Leo Roy and Fay Stockham, and the older sister to Harold Westover.

Growing up in Idaho Fall, Idaho, Alice carried happy memories from her childhood, including roller-skating, playing in the canal, ice skating in the winter, and spending time with friends. While family hardships led to meager means, she still found joy in small adventures and the company of others. Alice attended Emerson and Hawthorne Elementary Schools, O.E. Bell Junior High, and Idaho Falls High School.

She spent childhood days visiting her grandparents home in Milo, helping with chores around the farm. She cultivated close relationships with her aunts, uncles, and cousins, visiting them often throughout her life. She was especially close to her sister Fay. When they were young mothers living in Idaho Falls, they spent a great deal of time together, and later, when Fay lived in Salt Lake City, the families remained close, visiting each other often. She remained close to her nieces and nephews throughout her life. Whenever possible, Alice traveled to Utah to provide loving care to Fay during her years of illness. She was by the side of her parents, brother, and sister during times of illness, surgeries, and other challenges.

She married W. Dean Wickham on April 24, 1950. Together, they had five children: Iris (Carl) Bailey, Susan (Robert) Butikofer, RaDean (Shawn) Pobst, W. Ron (Cindy) Wickham, and Roger. The family made their home in Ucon, Idaho — a happy place filled with new friendships and a strong sense of community, where Alice and the whole family flourished. The family became active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dean and Alice were sealed together, along with their three daughters, in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1960. Alice served faithfully in several church callings and especially loved her role as a visiting teacher.

She was an active parent at Ucon Elementary School. She enjoyed being a homemaker and always kept an immaculate home. Alice sewed clothing for herself and her daughters, often making matching dresses — even though she didn’t particularly enjoy sewing. She liked the finished product more than the process! She cared for the yard, grew a garden, and canned the food she harvested. Alice loved gathering with friends for quilting bees — often crafting quilts from jeans and flannel, many of which became treasured gifts for her children and grandchildren. She learned to make candy and shared homemade goodies with family and neighbors each Christmas.

Alice was service-minded toward her neighbors, always ready to help with meals, childcare, housework, and laundry — often volunteering her children to assist as well. She was a beautiful example of service and love to all who knew her.

In 1975, Alice and Dean moved from Ucon to Idaho Falls, to a home they built on Hitt Road. When her children were older, Alice began working in retail. She enjoyed her work, but it was the friendships she formed with her coworkers that meant the most to her — some lasting for the rest of her life.

Dean and Alice divorced in 1987. Shortly after, Alice moved to Coltman to live with Susan and Bob, where she enjoyed the small community and its wonderful people.

As her children married and started families of their own, Alice devoted herself to helping however she could. After the births of her grandchildren — and even some of her great-grandchildren — Alice helped care for the new mothers and their families, often taking on household chores, cleaning, and offering quiet support during those early days. She cherished attending baby blessings, baptisms, graduations, and weddings, faithfully celebrating as many major milestones as possible. She proudly attended the marriages of all her grandchildren.

She often bragged — sometimes excessively — about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved attending their music performances, sporting events, academic achievements, and hobby showcases. Alice sent birthday cards to all her children and their spouses, grandchildren and spouses, and great-grandchildren — always including $5.00 for the little ones. Each Christmas, she gifted her great-grandchildren a special ornament. She treated her family as her crown jewels.

Alice loved to travel and had an interest in history. She participated in a United States and Church History Tour, enjoyed an Alaskan cruise, and took a trip to the Midwest with friends. She won a trip through work and chose to visit Oahu, Hawaii, traveling there with her sister — though it rained the entire time they were there. She also visited and enjoyed the coastlines of Oregon and Washington, many national parks, Canada, and the hills of South Dakota. For many years, she wintered in Arizona.

At the end of her life, Alice was blessed with 18 grandchildren (33 including spouses) and 59 great-grandchildren.

She will be remembered most for her love and dedication to her family and friends, her quiet resilience in facing life’s trials, and her unwavering testimony of Jesus Christ.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Because we knew her, we have been changed for good.

Alice was preceded in death by her mother, Hazel Pitman Stockham Westover; Hazel’s husband, Ivan Westover; her father, Lu J. Stockham, and his spouse, Catherine Johns Stockham; her brother, Leo Roy Stockham; her sister, Fay Stockham Hosie; her son, Roger Dean Wickham; her granddaughter, Cortney Wickham; her great-grandson, Ryker Bailey; and her son-in-law, Robert Butikofer.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Coltman Church, 12448 N 5th E. Idaho Falls, Idaho. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial in Grant Central Cemetery.

Services will be broadcast live at www.woodfuneralhome.com

Condolences may be sent to www.woodfuneralhome.com.