Alice Elizabeth Rufenach (Mower), 94

Alice Elizabeth Rufenach (Mower), 94, passed away July 6, 2022, at her daughter's ranch in Lakeside where she had lived for the last four years.

Alice was a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She found much delight in watching all her grand- and great-grandchildren grow.

Born in Burley, Idaho, she grew up in the Twin Falls and Boise area. She later moved to Sacramento, California, where she married Albino Azevedo and started a family.

After this marriage dissolved, she moved to Montana, and met and married Alfred Rufenach in 1954. They lived on their farm together and raised their family until his death in June of 2004, just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Alice continued to live on the farm north of Kalispell into her 90s. In 2018 she moved in with her daughter, Sandie, but still loved going back to her farm occasionally to stay and make sure things were all right.

Alice was a Jehovah's Witness and shared her faith with others whenever she could. She loved people and especially her spiritual family. She had a big heart and always had a big smile and hug.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Marie, Betty Lou and Diane from California; and her husband, Alfred.

She is survived by sister Shirley Mayhew in Reno, Nevada; her five children, Bonnie Azevedo, (Modesto, California) David Azevedo, (Knights Ferry, California), Albert Daniel Rufenach, (Whitefish), Tina Hood (Edward) (Dalton Gardens, Idaho) and Sandie Lenz, (Lakeside); nine grandchildren, Karen Hansen, Colby (Jessica) Lenz, Rick (Lori) Lenz, Kate (Dan) Sharon, Kelsey (Ashley) Hood, Kinsy (Robin Mardeusz) Hood, Jamie, Amanda and Daniel Shane Rufenach; 11 great-grandchildren, Abalisha Hansen, Colton (Kendra) Lenz, Shawna Lenz, Jenny (Mike) Hawthorne, Zack (Taisha) Sharon, Jacob (Amanda) Sharon, Jade Ware, Trace Lenz, Madison Gilchrist, Bristol and Chance Lenz and Casmir Mardeusz; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at a later date this summer.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.