Alice Marlene Melcher

Alice Marlene Melcher, 85, of Moses Lake, Washington went to be with her Savior on June 29, 2026. She was born on March 2, 1941, in Spokane, Washington to Emil Sauer and Lydia Rott Sauer. The family farmed in Lind, Washington. Alice was the eldest of four siblings: John, Lois, and Barbara. Alice and her family were active members of the Assembly of God church in Lind. Alice graduated from Lind High School in 1959. 

After high school, she was employed as a bookkeeper until her marriage to Gorden Melcher in 1964. Gorden and Alice built a life together on the farm. They welcomed their first child, Jeffrey, in 1966 and their second child, Rodney, in 1968. Alice joined Zion-Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Odessa, Washington when she married Gorden and continued to be active in church throughout her life. She taught Sunday school and served as the Sunday school superintendent. 

Alice was active on the farm. In addition to taking care of her children and home, she helped her husband by driving trucks and tractors, taking care of cows and chickens, butchering animals and making sausage. Alice was known for her green thumb. She grew a large vegetable garden and beautiful flowers and plants both inside and outside the house. She took pride in providing for her family by canning, drying, and freezing the bounty from her garden. Many friends and family members appreciated Alice’s excellent baking and cooking skills. She frequently gave cinnamon bread and other baked goods as gifts. 

Alice was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Gorden Melcher; her parents Emil and Lydia (Rott) Sauer; her brother John Sauer; and her beloved grandson Cole Melcher. 

She is survived by her children Jeff (Heather) Melcher and Rod (Jani) Melcher; her grandchildren Nathan (Jasmine Olson) Melcher, Alexis (Paul) Macduff, and John Melcher; her sister and brother-in-law: Barbara (Leroy) Lesser; her sister Lois Groh and her family; her husband’s sister and brother-in-law Alice (Gilbert) Kanzler and their children and grandchildren; and many cousins and friends. 

A funeral service will be held at Zion-Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Odessa, Washington on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 3 p.m. with a meal to follow. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Operation Christmas Child https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child or American Parkinson Disease Association https://www.apdaparkinson.org.

Danekas Funeral Home, Ritzville, Washington is in charge of funeral arrangements.