Alice Bursch

Alice Jane (Craig) Bursch passed away peacefully in Hospice Care at St. Luke’s Hospital on December 2, 2015.

Alice Jane Craig Bursch was born on May 16, 1937 to Hedin and Esther (Anderson) Kragh in Two Harbors, MN. She graduated from U.M.D. in 1959 with degrees in piano and vocal performance. She married James Bursch in 1959 and they raised three above average children together.

Alice was an accomplished piano teacher and was a member of the Duluth Music Teachers Association and the MN Music Teachers Association. Many of her former students are music educators and performers. She also performed as a vocalist and pianist for many years even though she suffered from cervical dystonia for much of her adult life.

She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran church, serving as a choir member, Sunday school teacher and director of a youth choir. She later served as full time organist at Bethlehem Lutheran Church from 1998-2002. Alice loved to write, and especially loved sending cards to her grandchildren on holidays. She had thousands of songs memorized and could play them all in any key on the spot. She passed on her love for Jesus, music, flowers, generous giving and basketball to her children.

Her parents, former husband and her sister Phyllis Mattson preceded Alice in death.

Alice is survived by her children: Christine (Barry) Hitt of Chippewa Falls, WI, Kathy (Sheldon) Johnson of Spooner, WI and Craig (Paula) Bursch of Duluth, MN. Also surviving are Alice’s beloved grandchildren: Michael (Brianna) Hitt, Eric Hitt, Cory Hitt, Rachel Johnson, Samuel Johnson and Emma Kate Bursch. She is survived by her brother-in-law Lester (Marlene) Mattson and her nephew James (JoAnn) Mattson.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at St. Ann’s, Dr. Jake Powell and the nursing staff at St. Luke’s hospital for their care of Alice.

A memorial service is scheduled for December 21, 2015 at St. Anne’s Residence at 11:00 a.m. with a reception to follow. Pastor Tim Berdahl will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Alice’s life. Although Alice had a passion for flowers, her wishes were that donations be given in lieu of flowers to the Two Harbors Area Food Shelf, P. O. Box 601, Two Harbors, MN 55616-0601