Alice June Vandersteen

In Loving Memory of Alice June Vandersteen

Alice June Vandersteen, a lifelong educator and tireless advocate for teachers, passed away peacefully on February 20th at the age of 86. Alice was born on September 2nd, 1937 in Pittsburgh, PA to George and Kathryn Fitch. Alice was raised on the Southside of Chicago and lived her adolescent years in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She leaves behind a legacy of passion, dedication, and service to the field of education that will continue to inspire generations to come.

Alice's journey in education began with a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University, followed by a Master of Arts from Indiana University. Throughout her illustrious career, she touched the lives of countless students and colleagues as an elementary teacher in Marshall, Michigan, and later as a middle school math and Gifted and Talented teacher in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Bloomington, Indiana.

Alice lived her later years in Aurora, Illinois, Prescott, Arizona and Omaha, Nebraska, owning homes with her beloved dog, Gracie.



Alice's commitment to making a difference extended beyond the borders of her own country. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Okene, Nigeria from 1961 to 1963, where she dedicated herself to enhancing educational opportunities for children in underserved communities.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Alice was a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs, proudly holding season tickets for many years. She reveled in the camaraderie of fellow fans and cherished the memories made at Wrigley Field. She was a world traveler, visiting many countries with family and friends.

In addition to her passion for baseball and travel, Alice was an avid runner and coach of track and field. She found solace and strength on the open road, and her dedication to the sport inspired those around her to pursue their own fitness goals.

In addition to her teaching career, Alice was actively involved in various professional and community organizations. She served as a delegate to Jimmy Carter at the Democratic National Convention in 1976 and as President of the Monroe County Teachers Association in Bloomington, Indiana. Alice's impact on education extended to her role as a Uniserv Director and Director of Field Services for the Illinois Education Association, where she championed the rights and welfare of teachers across the state of Illinois.

Alice's greatest joy in life came from her family. She was married to Ray Vandersteen and the proud mother of two children: Paul Vandersteen (Charmaine) and Laura Bertsch (Robert). Alice cherished her role as a mother and grandmother and leaves behind a treasure trove of memories for her family to hold dear.

Alice will be deeply missed by her family, including her grandchildren Chelsie, Samantha (Nick), Annie (Andres), Zachary, Bridget, and Austin as well as her friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her passion for education, unwavering dedication to her students, and compassionate advocacy for teachers will continue to inspire and uplift countless lives.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 18th at a time and location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital (https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=8303478...) and Hillcrest Hospice (https://hillcrestfoundation.org) in honor of Alice's lifelong commitment to education and service to others.

As we bid farewell to Alice Vandersteen, we take solace in knowing that her spirit will live on in the countless lives she touched and the indelible mark she left on the world of education. May she rest in eternal peace.

September 2nd, 1937 - February, 20th, 2024