Cloudy, 59° F
Alice Marie Rubis, 74, formerly of Gillette, Wyoming, passed peacefully on Jan. 30, 2021, at the Billings Clinic Hospital in Montana.
Alice was the first-born child of Claude Alvin and Norma Lucene Phelps in Fort Madison, Iowa, on April 23, 1946, followed by a younger sister Shirley Aldridge. Alice and her family resided in Fort Madison until moving to Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1959.
Upon relocation to Wyoming, she met the love of her life, Dell Rubis, at a dance. A few short years later they were then married on April 28, 1962, in Greybull, Wyoming. Following their union, Dell and Alice resided in Manderson, Wyoming, where they were blessed with three children: the oldest daughter Chadell Marie, daughter Brandy Lynn, and daughter Ivy Jo.
In 1965 Dell and Alice moved their little family to Gillette, where the family grew, adding two sons, Darin Dwayne and Earl Paul, and completing the family with their youngest daughter Misty Dawn. They raised their family for many years in Gillette until September 2014 when Dell and Alice were relocated to Lovell, to live with their daughter Chadell and her husband Eric, due to health concerns and medical needs.
Alice was a very active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served various callings such as librarian, historian, genealogy specialist, Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout leader and primary teacher for many years.
She loved cooking meals for her family and friends. She was a very avid reader of romance stories and histories. She enjoyed camping, sightseeing, Karaoke, anything with the color purple, and she had a strong passion for shopping. She enjoyed visiting friends and neighbors, always bringing them her smile and outgoing personality.
Alice had many work experiences throughout her life, such as being a certified nurses assistant, pilot car driver, a cashier for Alco, assistant manager for Stitch and Sew Sewing Store, and customer relations at Continental Electric. But her favorite job and top priority was raising her family and being a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Alice had such a kind heart. She always had the time to take in various relatives and family friends who had special situations and needed a temporary home. She loved them as family. They are still considered family to this day.
Alice is survived by her husband Dell (Rubis) of 58 years; daughters, Chadell (Eric) Smith of Lovell; Brandy McKee of Gillette, Ivy Serna of Gillette, and Misty (Scot) Henaghan of Gillette; their two sons Darin Rubis of Central Lake, Michigan, and Earl (Wendy) Rubis of Murray, Utah; and her sister Shirley Aldridge of Gillette. She was also blessed with 24 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Claude and Norma Phelps, half-brothers Harold Phelps and Dale Burdorf, half-sister Margie Mae Stewart, grandson Terry Curry and granddaughter Talisa Smith.
A cremation has taken place. The funeral services will be held on Feb. 19, 2021 at 2 p.m., at Haskell Funeral Home, 605 East Main Street, Lovell, WY 82431. Burial will follow at the Lovell Cemetery, 1123 Lane 13, Lovell, WY 82431.
