Alice Shaffer

Alice Marguerite Shaffer (née Monson), a beloved educator, artist, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on February 18, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. Born on November 13, 1937, in San Francisco, California, Alice lived a life rich with stories.
Alice’s early years were spent in both Center City, Minnesota and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where she attended a school for gifted students. She often reminisced about ice skating with her siblings and life on the prairie. Later, her family relocated to Kansas City, where she attended Westport High School. Adjusting to the challenges of a larger school in the city was difficult for Alice. However, never known to be quitter, her freshman year was highlighted by winning an essay contest and shaking hands with President Harry Truman.
Alice continued her education at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, initially pursuing a major in Art before switching to Education. It was at Bethany that Alice forged deep bonds with friends Ruth, Tam, Janice, Kirsten, Martha, Anna Jo, and many others. These friendships endured for decades as the group gathered nearly every year to share their lives’ joys and challenges. Alice’s life was made richer by her deep friendships with these women.
She began teaching when she was just 20 years old in Assaria, Kansas. Despite being only slightly older than her students and facing the additional challenge of directing a school play during her first year, Alice embraced the role. She went on to teach at Naperville Central High School in Illinois and later at Blue Valley North High School in Kansas, where she also served as English Department Chairperson. Her passion for teaching creative writing inspired countless high school students over the years. In 1993, Alice received the prestigious Kansas Master Teacher Award—a recognition of her exceptional contributions to education. In her own words, "Writing is a journey, an art of expression in which you throw ideas, thoughts, and feelings onto the white page ... Writing is no place for faking it." She demanded that her students write concretely and think critically. She was a huge proponent of “plain speak” and not using a passive voice.
Alice also met her husband, Jerry Shaffer, in Lindsborg, KS. She often remarked about how handsome he was and how she admired his dance moves. They had three children in 6 years, two in Colorado and one in Omaha. Alice was not one for cooking from scratch, or for providing home-cooked meals, but her household was perpetually and immaculately clean. Alice made sure all her children could catch and throw and often shooed them outside to play.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Alice was an artist at heart. She painted throughout her life, favoring watercolor as her medium of choice. Through her art, she captured the beauty of light and color while documenting the places she lived and the changing seasons.
When asked where she was from, Alice would pause and then say, “all over.” She lived in California, Minnesota, Canada, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Illinois, and Texas--with some repeated stays in Kansas and Illinois. She had a remarkable ability to create community wherever she went. Whether hosting driveway gatherings with neighbors or founding a book club in her Chicago residence, Alice brought people together through shared stories and experiences.
Alice is survived by children Grant Shaffer (Anita), John Shaffer (Michelle Yang), Andrea Shaffer; grandchildren Alex Shaffer, Garrett Shaffer (Baylee), Luke Shaffer, Dale Shaffer, Grace Walters, Ford Walters, Anteneh Tamrat (Meron Ibrahim), Allen Shaffer, Wilson Wong, Sandy Wong and Audrey Shaffer; great granddaughter Mahder Anteneh. Alice was predeceased by her husband Jerry Shaffer; parents Rev. G.T. Monson and Helen Monson; siblings Naomi Nelson, Dan Monson, Helen Lindgren, David Monson.
Please remember Alice whenever you clean your home, whenever you successfully cheat at cards, when you notice the color of the sunset on the side of a building, or reflected off the lake, or when a news article about our dear leader incites a deep, and righteous anger within you.
May Alice’s memory bring comfort to all who were fortunate enough to know her. Donations in her honor can be directed to:
Bethany College https://www.bethanywv.edu/give/ways-to-give/
Swedish American Museum and Center https://swedishamericanmuseum.org/donate
A Memorial Gathering will be held on April 12, 2026, from 04:30 PM to 06:30 PM at Swedish American Museum Center 5211 N. Clark Street. Memorial service will include an exhibition of Alice's paintings.