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Obituary for Alice May Kviz
Alice May Kviz June 12, 1929 – January 29, 2010 Alice May (Davis) Kviz, 80, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Brookings, on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010. Alice was born to Albert Henry and Nita May (Gates) Davis on June 12, 1929 in Loveland, Co. Alice’s family soon moved to Lynnwood, Wash., just north of Seattle, where her father found work in various building and woodworking trades. Alice’s father and mother both worked to support their family through the Great Depression. Alice, being the eldest daughter, became responsible for taking care of the home and siblings, while still going to school. Through this experience she learned a lot about being organized and using time and resources efficiently as she grew up. Later on, Alice would work diligently to pass on these skills to her children. Alice's family lived in several areas of Washington State. The majority of the time they lived in the Seattle area. After graduating from Junior High (9th grade) in 1945, she took a position at the Sunshine Cookie factory. In 1948 she married Edward Frank "Zippy" Kviz, an amazing saxophone player. Zippy spent two of the early years of their marriage as a member of the big name bands of the time i.e., Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Doc Severson. Soon, Zippy was ready to go home to Alice and their son Dennis even though he had been offered a fulltime gig with Lawrence Welk. Alice stayed home in Washington and worked on becoming an accomplished, "domestic engineer," raising their children Dennis, and Debbie, and running their home. In 1952, tragedy struck and a car accident took three week old Debbie and left Alice with injuries that would affect her for the rest of her life. In 1954 Alice gave birth to Randi J. In 1956 she and her family moved to Prineville, Ore. There, she gave birth to Denise and Janine as she continued her “career”, investing her time and energy into her family. Alice and her family fell in love with Oregon and took regular road trips to see all its amazing and beautiful natural wonders. Trips to see extended family were also an important part of their life. In 1961 they decided to move to the Brookings area to be close to Alice's sister, Lillian Smith. After a short time they settled in Gold Beach where Zippy found a job at Buffington Motors. Alice and her family enjoyed combing the beaches for driftwood, agates and glass floats. In the summer of 1969 Dennis graduated from Gold Beach High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Alice and Zippy later divorced and she moved to Brookings with Randi, Denise and Janine, (all three, graduates of BHHS). For a few years Alice worked at the shrimp processing plant and then in 1974 took a position doing security for the school district from which she retired in 1978. She enjoyed spending time at the many local state parks, and having weekly game nights with her family and close friends. "Yahtzee" was her favorite. Throughout her life, Alice was known to have a bright and sassy sense of humor and a survivor's spirit. She is survived by sons Dennis Kviz of Portland, Ore., Samuel Smith, (family adopted) of Wilburton, Okla., Randi Kviz of Colora, Md.; daughters Denise Gardner of Brookings, Ore., Janine Morgan of Crescent City Ca.; sister Joyce Lomax of Olympia, Wash.; 18 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by parents Albert Henry Davis, Nita May (Gates) Davis; spouse Edward F. Kviz; brother Albert Henry Davis Jr.; sister Lillian Glee Smith; daughter Debbie Ann Kviz. At her request, no public ceremony will be held.
