Alice Jean Fairley was born July 3, 1953 at the old Fairbury Clinic Hospital located in downtown Fairbury to J Leaman Jr and Beulah Jean (Creach) Fairley. She went home to Jesus on May 21, 2024 at the age of 70.

Alice grew up on the dairy farm with her parents, older brother Andy and younger brother Tim. She was Baptized and was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church of Fairbury. Alice helped her mother with the baby calves, the garden, housework and baking cookies. She attended a one room country school, East Bower School District # 62, from kindergarten thru the 8th grade. She graduated from Fairbury High School in 1971 and attended 1 year at Fairbury Jr. College. Alice was active in 4-H showing dairy cattle with her brothers and exhibiting home economic entries. Alice loved babies and small children and was so excited to welcome her nephews and niece reading and playing with them.

Life was a challenge for Alice. After her school days were over, she helped her aunt and uncle Darlyne and Dick Jarchow on the weekends at the Dinner Bell Café in Daykin. Alice and her parents moved into Fairbury in 1993. She and her mother cleaned the church for a few years. After her father’s death in 2013, she and her mother stayed in their home before moving into Cedarwood Assisted Living in 2018. This was a big change, but they did enjoy living there.

By May 21, 2020 the Pandemic had begun in earnest and it was time for another change for Alice. Her mother needed more care and moved to Heritage Care Center. Alice moved to Region V Services in Fairbury. She lived in a group home, the A street House. This was very traumatic for them both, it was the first time they had ever lived apart. The restrictions of Covid made it 10 times worse! Adjusting to the move was like a steep mountain for Alice to climb. With tough love, the care givers at Region V Services helped Alice not only accept it, but to thrive in her new life. She reached the top of her mountain and was so happy! She went on adventures like boat rides, dances, zoo visits, and parties with all her new friends! She became a social butterfly! She was now able to visit her mother weekly, sharing with her stories of all she had been doing. The staff and her roommates became another loving family to her. A family that will also miss Alice deeply.

Alice is survived by her mother Jean Fairley, Fairbury; brothers Andy (Sandy) Fairley, Daykin; Tim (Francie) Fairley, Fairbury; Nephews Jay Fairley, Daykin; Ryan (Erin) Fairley, Brady, NE; Dustin (Amanda) Fairley, Fairbury and niece Michelle (Austin) Galles of Wayne, NE. Great nephews and nieces; Tanner, Jacoby, Owen, Bo, Sydney, Ellie and Myles. Aunt Donna Fairley, Geneva, NE. Roommates Gerry and Debby. Wonderful friends and exceptional caregivers of her Region V Services family.  

Preceded in death by her father Lea Fairley, grandparents J Leaman and Metta Fairley, Harry and Ruth Creach. Aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Jay Fairley, Ryan Fairley, Dustin Fairley, Austin Galles, Matt Jarchow and Robert Brockmeyer.

Services will be Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 1:00 pm at the Christian Church in Fairbury with Darlene Novotny officiating. Burial will be in the Fairbury Cemetery following the service. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.