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Alice Shotliff Wagner was Mabel Shotliff Franzen’s sister, whose story was told last week. After Mabel died suddenly and unexpectedly, her four sons would visit Alice often. Alice's nephew Lyle, who became a doctor, even lived with her for a summer in 1950 in-between his medical studies schedule. Later, his career took him all over the world, from Germany to Hawaii and many states in-between, but he always came back to visit her on Blivin Street in Spring Grove.
Alice lived her whole life on Blivin Street. She was born in 1889 at 7704 Blivin Street. Sometime after her father’s death, the family moved to 8104 Blivin Street, which later became the preacher's home for the Methodist Church next door. And in 1908 when she was 19 years old, she married Joseph Wagner and moved into the living space upstairs at 8016 Blivin Street . Joe was the town barber and his shop was downstairs, but he was also a banker, counselor, and business advisor to town residents.
As a young wife, Alice loved playing cards and visiting friends and families. She was part of the Thursday afternoon 500 card club. Lunch and prizes were always part of the afternoon. Created in 1904, 500 was a popular, fun game and probably a great diversion for the housewives of the time.
Alice and Joe never had any children, so she put her energies into the community business services her husband offered and took over many of his duties after his death in 1947. In addition, she was the village treasurer, the treasurer for several school districts, and a Burton Township election judge for many years. She was also a member of the Methodist Church at 8102 Blivin Street, two doors down from her home with Joe.
She died in 1965 at the age of 76, leaving a host of friends to mourn her passing. Her four Franzen nephews were beneficiaries of her will, along with her brother, William Shotliff, who was left the house, and her younger brother, John Sanborn. Others named in her will included six other Shotliffs, seven other relatives or friends, and the Treasurer of Cole Cemetery where she was laid to rest.
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