Obituary of Alice Steinhaus (Brewster) Steinhaus

Alice Lorene Steinhaus, age 99, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2014 after a long and active life. Alice was born on October 16, 1915, in Carnegie, Oklahoma. She was the last surviving child of nine children born to John Jared Brewster and Eva Giles. A direct descendent of Elder William Brewster III, Alice served as governor of the Mother Lode Colony of the National Society of Mayflower descendants in 1980 and 1981. She was honored with a lifetime membership by the society. Alice worked tirelessly her whole life to make sure that her children and grandchildren were loved and cared for, and had every possible opportunity available to them. She was married to Olen E. Jones from January 14, 1933 to September 5, 1945, when they divorced. Together they moved from Oklahoma in 1933 and worked throughout Oregon and Washington, chopping wood, herding sheep, and harvesting produce. Alice worked as a canner at Libby McNeil Libby canneries in Yakima, Washington. They eventually settled in California, and in June of 1943, Alice and their three children moved to Sacramento California where she became a wartime "Rosie" working at McClellan field as Norden bombsight mechanic. Later, although she only achieved a ninth grade education, she supported her family by doing clerical work and bookkeeping for Pacific telephone, the DMV, California State Board of equalization and eventually the state controller's office. She married Chester M. Steinhaus on September 4, 1952. They were members of the Florin United Methodist Church in Sacramento. Into her later years she used her incredible sewing talent to bless her children and grandchildren with beautiful handmade clothes and toys. She also served as a nurturing babysitter to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren well into her 80s, so that their parents could work. Alice is proceed in death by her husband of 12 years Olen E. Jones and her husband of 36 years Chester M. Steinhaus She's survived by her children Bonnie White, Calvin Jones Juanita Benson and Rocky Steinhaus all of Sacramento California. She has six grandchildren TerryAnn Edwards, Deborah Jensen Monty White Jr, Monica Pearson Traci Wacker and Stephen Benson. In addition she survived by 11 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Alice resided the last five years at Goldenpond retirement community in Sacramento, and will be greatly missed by her friends and caretakers there. Alice was a woman of incredible strength resourcefulness and talents who's admired and adored by her family. She will be missed tremendously and cherished always.