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Alice Mikus Underwood, 94
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6/28/2012 9:25:00 AM
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Alice Mikus Underwood, 94, formerly of Bridge Street, Towanda, passed away Tuesday evening, June 26, 2012 at the Little Flower Manor in Wilkes-Barre. She had been a resident of St. Therese Residence in Wilkes-Barre since moving there in 2007.
Alice was born in Houghton, Mich. on Nov. 28, 1917 the daughter of Fredrick C. Runge Jr. and Harriet Ruelle Runge. She was a graduate of Michigan Tech where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. When she enrolled, there were only 20 women on campus and she accepted the challenge being the first in chemistry. While a student at Michigan Tech, Alice participated in the archery club, the choir, rifle club and sang in operettas. Alice was the first woman in Michigan to be honored by Tau Beta Pi, a national engineering fraternity, one of few women in the nation. She was elected to Iota Sigma Pi a national honorary chemical sorority and served as President of Theta Chi Epsilon.
Alice was studying for her Master's Degree at Iowa State University when she met and married Felix "Mike" Mikus in 1945. In early years, Alice worked as a chemist at Pittsburgh Plate Glass in Corpus Christi, Texas while living in Kingsville, Texas and served as a substitute teacher in Schenectady, N.Y. for a time. In 1959, Alice and Mike moved to Towanda to make their home. Alice taught mathematics at Northeast Bradford High School from 1960-62 and in 1963 became employed by the analytical lab at GTE Sylvania. In 1970, Alice accepted the position as supervisor of library services at GTE until her retirement in 1983.
Alice was active in community and civic affairs have served on Towanda Borough Council from 1979-1985 and as council president from 1984 -1985. Alice participated in the Towanda Area Outreach Program, volunteered at the Towanda Public Library and served as a Meals on Wheels driver. Along with another Rotarian wife, Alice was instrumental in the formation of the Rotary Anns to support Rotary. She served on many committees at the district level and was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award in 1982, only the third person in Towanda to receive this honor. Alice and Mike also hosted many exchange students over the years. Alice was a devoted communicant of SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Towanda where she served as a Catholic Youth Organization advisor, member of the choir, certified liturgical music director and as a member of the music, liturgy and planning commissions.
Surviving are her children, Mary Therese (Guy) Higgins of Lafayette, Colo., Elizabeth (Chuck) Borresen of Apple Valley, Minn., Rita Loughman of Throop and Monica (Ray) Berger of Moneta, Va., eight grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, She was preceded in death by her husbands, Felix "Mike" Mikus in 1994 and William Underwood Jr. in 2003, and by a grandson, Matthew Berger.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 2, 2012 at the Maryott-Bowen Funeral Home 217 York Ave. Towanda, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 2 p.m. at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Third Street, Towanda.
Interment will follow in SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, N. Towanda.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be directed to the association of Marian Helpers, Father Joseph, MIC, P.O. Box 4, Stockbridge, MA 01263.
The web address is www.marian.org. Acknowledgements can be sent to: Beth Borresen, 13140 Fordham Ct., Apple Valley, MN 55124-5312.
Memories and condolences may be expressed and shared by visiting our funeral home web site at www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.
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