Alice Vickers

Alice Louise Nickolaisen Vickers passed away peacefully at her home in Newcastle, Wyoming, on December 26th, 2025 after facing a cancer diagnosis with grace and dignity.She was born on December 3rd, 1938, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Olav and Louise (Kucik) Nickolaisen. She graduated from Washington High School in 1956. Alice married Karl Cox in 1957. She and Karl embarked on their adventures, moving to Los Angeles in 1961 before settling in Chicago, Illinois in 1964. During that time Alice worked as a secretary and bookkeeper, having taught herself office skills and shorthand. In 1966, she welcomed her beloved son Earl Olav Cox into the world. Earl, an incredibly gifted artist and creative, was the pride of Alice’s life. She loved sharing his abilities and accomplishments with the world and proudly displayed his artwork. Alice and Earl moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, in 1973 to be near her sister Bernice. She began working at Stevens High School for Western Dakota Vo-Tech and found the work to be rewarding and the students engaging. It was in Rapid City that Alice met Henry (Hank) Vickers at a meeting of Parents Without Partners. As a member of the Welcoming Committee, Alice met Hank at his very first meeting. Alice and Hank were married in 1976. She and Earl, 10 at the time, made their home in Newcastle with Hank. His three children brought grandchildren into Alice’s life and she quickly became a devoted grandmother. For many years, Alice worked for Farnsworth Services. Upon retirement from Farnsworth, she became a substitute teacher and Sunday School teacher, a career in which she thrived. She formed deep and enduring connections with her students, following and encouraging their paths through adulthood, parenthood, and even grandparenthood. Alice was a loyal member of the Newcastle Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) group, and at one point was recognized as the state-wide TOPS Queen. An avid animal lover, Alice never met a cat she didn’t adore or a dog she couldn’t come to tolerate. Many of her most treasured possessions were cat-themed, a testament to the ways in which her many friends honored her favorite animals. Alice was also a voracious reader, sharing the love of reading with her many grandchildren. She always had a book in progress and a new story to recommend. To no one’s surprise, “The Cat Who…” mystery series by Lillian Jackson Braun was an eternal favorite. She was especially close with her son-in-law Wayne Vickers and her daughter-in-law Eileen (Wilson) Vickers. Alice and Eileen, a middle school counselor, made many memories in the Newcastle schools together. Alice’s deep faith in the Lord carried her through the loss of her parents, Louise and Olav, her son Earl, her husband Henry, her brother-in-law Francis Kwan, and her sister Bernice (Nickolaisen) Kwan. Her loved ones are comforted with the knowledge that she has been reunited with her beloved family members, and the legion of cats that she nurtured throughout her life.Alice is survived by five nieces and nephews, her step-children, Constance (Gary) Anderson of Colorado Springs, Wayne (Eileen) Vickers of Newcastle, Gale (Leonard) Geringer of Cheyenne, 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and the hundreds of students whom she nurtured and guided through the years. Alice’s family thanks her friends in the TOPS community, in the Weston County Senior Citizens Center, and in the Newcastle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their devotion to Alice’s care and the preservation of her memory. Services will be held on Tuesday, December 30th at 11am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (120 Ash St, Newcastle, WY). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alley Cat Rescue in Newcastle.