1947-2026
Larned – Alice Jane Van Cleave, 78, passed away May 8, 2026 at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned.
She was born December 6, 1947 in Ogallala, Nebraska, the daughter of Milford and Salomae (Mae) Cuba Krajewski. A longtime resident, Alice was a professional house cleaner for 30 years.
She attended school in Ogallala, high school at St. Patrick’s in Sidney, Nebraska and graduated with the class of 1966. She then attended college in Greely, Colorado, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. On March 31, 1978 she married Ronald Van Cleave in Longmont, Colorado. Together they moved to Larned, Kansas in 1980 and established their country home and raised their family.
In her early years she sang with the Sweet Adelines Group in Colorado before moving to Kansas. After moving to Kansas; she became a member of the Larned United Methodist Church, where she was active and involved in communion preparations. She also assisted her husband at the Lion’s Club Chuckwagon.
Survivors include: husband, Ronald Van Cleave, Larned; three children, Bryant (Terry) Van Cleave, Great Bend, Derick (Karen) Van Cleave, Larned, and Sherri (Craig) Pritchett, Denver, Colorado; four sisters, Helen (David) Peetz, Sydney, Nebraska, Norma (Harold) Barnard, Peru, Nebraska, Joan (Bill) Bonkiewicz, Lincoln, Nebraska and SR Loretta Krajewski, O.S.U., Louisville, Kentucky; six grandchildren, Kristina (Chris) Frost, Claflin, Rachel Van Cleave, Land O’ Lakes, Florida, Ashley (Matthew) Ehrhard, Warrenton, Missouri, David Pritchett, Saint Clair, Missouri, Michelle (Daniel) Salazar, Mesa Grande, Mexico and Ami (Wayne) Moore, Seward, Nebraska and nine great grandchildren, Kristopher, Karli, Cody, Lisa, Alexis, Madelyn, Naomi, Erica and Adalia.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Louise Holscher.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 12th at Larned United Methodist Church with Pastor Angela DeFisher presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 11th at Beckwith Mortuary. Burial will be in Larned Cemetery, Larned, Kansas.
Memorials may be given to Larned United Methodist Church, in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.
Interment Funeral
