Alice Ann Krause, 98, passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, in Sandpoint, Idaho. Private burial will be held at the Clark Fork Cemetery.

Alice was born on July 16, 1918, in Polson, Montana, to Harry and Emma (Whitesitt) Applas. She graduated from Ronan High School, and married Paul Sheneman in Polson.

Alice then married Leonard Higgins at Shelbyville, Indiana. Upon Leonard’s death, Alice moved back to Montana, then Idaho, where she married Bruno Krause. Alice and Bruno enjoyed 24 wonderful years together, traveling throughout Alaska and all the Western states in pursuit of gold, and looking up old acquaintances while living in a camper.

Many will remember them at the Bonner Mall in Sandpoint as Santa and Mrs. Claus every Christmas for 15 years.

She opened a daycare center in Clark Fork, Idaho, at the age of 70, and worked as one of the first employees at Unicep at the age of 73. She was a senior companion, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Bonner County Gleaners. She continued to care for her great-grandchildren as she had for their parents and grandparents. She believed that every child should have the opportunity to attend Sunday school.

Alice came to personal faith in Jesus Christ in her 30s, and that was the beginning of her great love for God and for the people He placed in her path. She consistently cared for others as being valuable in God’s sight. She believed strongly that every child and every adult mattered to God and should have the opportunity to come to know the saving love of Jesus.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents; twin brother John Applas; brother Harold Applas and sister-in-law Dorothy; husbands Leonard Higgins and Bruno Krause; daughter Betty Buckmaster; daughter-in-law Donna Higgins; great-grandson Gabriel Butchko; great-granddaughter Alice Buckmaster; and step-son-in-law Bruce Wilsey.

She is survived by sons Jack (Audrey) Sheneman of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Dr. Paul (Lindsay) Sheneman of Lake Wales, Florida, Michael (Sandra) Higgins and David Higgins of Clark Fork; stepchildren Maxine Wilsey of Kennewick, Washington, Ben (Jeanette) Krause of Clarkston, Washington, and Steve (Lori) Krause of Lewiston, Idaho; niece Donna (Richard) Purvis of Columbus, Indiana; 17 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, and seven step-great-grandchildren.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Alice’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guestbook.