CEDAR RAPIDS - Alice Florence Brandt Palmer Werning, age 69 of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Newhall, died April 15, 2007 at home following an extended illness.  Funeral Services will be held 10:30 A.M., Thursday, April 19, 2007 at St. John Lutheran Church, Newhall.  Visitation will be from 4 - 7 PM on Wednesday also at the church.  Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Newhall.  A memorial fund has been established.

Alice was born September 17, 1937 in Cedar Rapids the daughter of Arnold and Florence (Sawyer) Brandt.  Her mother died from complications during childbirth and Alice was then raised by aunt and uncle, Paul and Frances Palmer.  She was baptized at the Greeley Methodist Church in the fall of 1937, she later attended and was confirmed at First United Methodist Church in Marion.  Alice attended school in Cedar Rapids and graduated from McKinley High School in 1956, she later received her B.A. from Coe College in 1960.  Following her graduation from Coe, Alice attended the University of Iowa and received her M.A. in 1969.  Alice worked as an Elementary Teacher in the Marion, Cedar Rapids, Alburnett School Districts and retired from the Norway/Benton Community School District in 1995.

Alice was united in marriage to Russell D. Werning on June 12, 1960 at First United Methodist Church in Marion and following their marriage she was confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall on June 26, 1960. 

Church was always an important part of Alice's life, she attended First United Methodist Church in Marion, Bethany Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids and later, St. John Lutheran Church in Newhall.  Alice was always actively involved in the workings of the church, she served as a Sunday School Teacher, Choir Member/Director, a member of the Friendship Club and directing the Children's Christmas Eve Worship Service at St. John.  In her community Alice was a member of the Newhall Lions Club serving as Secretary and a Past Girl Scout Leader.  She was recognized in Who's Who Among American Teachers and a St. John Servant.

In her leisure Alice enjoyed genealogy, creating family trees, spending time with her family at picnics and reunions and traveling to the various events that her grandchildren participated in.  She also wrote and directed the Bi-Centennial and Centennial Pageant in Newhall.

Alice is survived by her husband Russell of Cedar Rapids; children, David (Lynette) Werning of Perrysburg, OH, Mary Shepherd and fiancé Kirk Jones, Rebecca Weidenhamer and companion Don Jeffrey all of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Austin and Mason Weidenhamer both of Cedar Rapids.  She is also survived by her sister, Helen (Dennis) Wieben of Dysart; brothers, Dale (Barb) Brandt of Horicon, Wisconsin and Jack (Joy) Brandt of Golden, CO, her mother-in-law, Viola Werning of Newhall, a brother-in-law, Glenn (Marg) Werning of Vinton; two nieces and ten nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her step-mother, Irene Brandt, her "Adoptive Parents", Paul and Frances Palmer and her father-in-law, Lloyd Werning.

Phillips Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.