Alice M. Godin

Alice Mae Godin (Sell), 91, passed peacefully at St. Elizabeth Hospital on July 2, 2023, after a life well lived. Alice was born at home in Wittenberg, WI to Frank and Gertrude (Brounacker) Sell.

 

Alice was a tomboy who spent her childhood outside riding bikes and playing jacks, marbles, baseball and football. In 1950 Alice graduated from Wittenberg High School, where she completed her entire education.  Alice lettered in basketball, softball and bowling in high school. She often reminisced that the high school boys’ sports coach recognized her talents and often told her “Sell, I wish you were a boy!” so she could have been the star player on one of his boys’ varsity teams. Alice was extremely competitive and proud of her natural athletic ability.

 

In 1952, Alice married her high school sweetheart, Bill Godin, and together they had 3 children: Gregg, David and Mary. The couple lived in Appleton for 52 years where Alice raised her family and worked at local grocery stores Krambo, Farmers Market, and Big Saver. The couple later relocated to Greenville. Alice enjoyed traveling, especially to Glacier National Park, Niagara Falls, Hawaii, Mexico, and Europe. In retirement Alice and Bill purchased a home in Sun City, Arizona and spent 17 years there as Snowbirds. While there, they enjoyed the company of family, many friends (new and old) and golfing in the warm Arizona sun. The couple celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary with a party just prior to Bill’s passing.  

 

Alice was a member of St. Mary Church in Appleton for over 64 years, where both of her children attended grade school and married their spouses. Alice was a devout Catholic, strong in her faith, and said many rosaries for the health of family and friends and the protection of deployed family members.

 

Alice was an incredibly devoted and loving mother and grandmother. She kept a candy drawer stocked with full size treats for family to enjoy and she was also known to brighten her grandchildren’s spirits when they were sick by purchasing them popsicles, coloring books and markers. She encouraged her children and grandchildren in all their endeavors and was adamant that they would graduate from college. Alice was very proud that all of her children and grandchildren were college graduates and considered it to be one of her greatest accomplishments! 

 

Alice is survived by her son David (Lisa) Godin, Lady Lakes, Florida, her daughter Mary (Dave) Anderson, Greenville, grandchildren; Derreck (Julie) Godin, Joseph (Marieke) Godin, Sarah (Tyler) Bialk and Nicholas (Ciara) Anderson and 9 great grandchildren. She is further survived by in-laws James (DeAnna) Godin, Sandy Linke and Bonnie Godin, and nieces, nephews and friends. She is predeceased by her precious, infant son Gregg, parents, brother Ed (Alta) Sell, sisters Arlene Sloat and Verna (Edwin Miller, Don Engebos) Engebos, and in-laws Mona (Jim) Schaar, Shirley (Marv) Moderson, Robert Godin and Don Linke.

 

The funeral liturgy for Alice will be held on Wednesday July 19, 2023, at 11:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 S. State Street, Appleton. Friends and family may gather at the church from 9:30 am until the start of mass. Alice will be placed in a niche at St. Mary Cemetery, Appleton.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Alice’s name.