Munising
Alice "Duffy" Fahrbach, 86, died June 9, 2012 at her home in Munising. Alice was born in Charlevoix, Michigan, on August 17, 1925, the third child of Don and Susan (Sisley) Duffie. She attended local schools, Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, and received a BSN in nursing from Loma Linda University in California. In 1951, she married Don Fahrbach in the backyard of her parents' home in Central Lake, Michigan. They have four children and six grandchildren.
Alice and her family lived for 10 years in Cleveland, Georgia and for three years in Benghazi, Libya. In 1969, the Fahrbachs moved to Munising. Alice loved the rivers, Lake Society, and most of all, her many friends in Alger County. She never wanted live anywhere else.
After college, Alice worked as the girls' dean at a boarding school in Minnesota and as nurse in Michigan and California. When she became a mother, her focus shifted to her family, friends and church. In 60 years of church membership, Alice was never without a weekly role as a childrens' teacher, musician or school leader. In addition to serving at a mission hospital in Libya, she and Don traveled on medical missions to Kenya, Peru, the Philipines, Nepal, India, Indonesia and other countries. For 23 years, Don and Alice provided annual relief work at the Adventist Clinic in Guam. Locally, Alice was an active member in Bible study groups.
Alice leaves Don, her husband of 61 years; a daughter, Jan (Ron) of Kaneohe, Hawaii; a daughter, Nancy (Curt); a son Thom (Jean); and a son Dan (Abigail), all of Portland, Oregon. She also leaves several nieces and nephews, six grandchildren: Julia, Jana, Reed, Jens, Willa and Silas, and a brother, David (Daisy) Duffie. She was predeceased by her sister, Virginia.
Her friends recall Alice as a cheerful presence, always on the move. An avid birder, she learned to identify local warblers by sight and song. She enjoyed being outdoors, and regularly cross-country skied, hiked, kayaked, and was seen last water-skiing on her 83rd birthday.
She was loved and treasured by her family for her unconditional love, quick humor, uncomplaining endurance, and for faithful devotion to her Lord.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 12 from 4 to 6 pm at Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising to be followed by a funeral service at 6 pm with Jacob Gibbs presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Alice Fahrbach's memory can be made to The Alger County Heritage Center, The Alger County Animal Shelter, or the Maasai Development Project in Kenya, PO Box 394, Harvey, ND 58341.