Alice Johnson Boreen was born on a farm 60 miles west of Minneapolis on June 8, 1907. She married Vernon Boreen in 1928 and they moved to Minneapolis where their son Allen was born. In 1942 Alice was one of the many young women who changed the workforce of the U.S. by going to work in what was then called a “defense plant,” and she continued to work for the next 20 years.

In 1973, Alice and Vernon moved to Whidbey Island to be close to their son, Allen, who had retired from the U.S. Navy to live in Oak Harbor with his wife and their five children. Alice loved gardening, walking, and crocheting. She resumed crocheting recently after successful cataract surgery at the age of 99! Alice and Vernon had been married for 72 years when Vernon died in 2000 at the age of 95. Alice died on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, in Oak Harbor at the age of 102.

Alice is survived by her son, Allen, and his wife Dorothy of Oak Harbor; grandchildren Kevin, Katherine, Maryanne and David; and great-grandchildren Kirsten, Stephen, Samantha and Michael. She was preceded in death by her husband and grandson, Stephen.

A memorial graveside service will be held at Maple Leaf Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m. with Pastor David Lura officiating. Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com.