Alice Eleanor Alfrey Konkel was born on December 17, 1924 north of Vilas. She was the third child born to Albert and Mary Pickell Alfrey.

Grandma attended 2 years of school in Vilas before the family moved to Walsh in December of 1933. She then graduated from WHS in 1942.

On December 17, 1944 Grandma married Warren "Bud" Konkel and they were blessed with three daughters—Lynda Diane born February 9, 1946; Beverly Anne born November 21, 1952; and Lillian Gayle born December 3, 1954. During her time on the farm, nothing was too hard for Grandma and the girls when an extra hand was needed to drive tractor, feed cattle or haul horses. Grandma also enjoyed being active in the community on PTA, Music Club, Walsh District Hospital and Nursing Home Board, and 4-H leader. In 1976, she was chosen as the Baca County Honorary 4-H member. Grandma was also involved in the inception of the Walsh Alumni and loved attending the banquets.

Fond memories of Grandma include her love of music, baking, and taking care of others . Grandma had dreams of becoming a singer and would always have music playing. She passed on that love to her daughters who all could play the piano. Beverly and Gayle, along with Randy Hutches, Steve Cogburn, Joe Mundell, and Pat Porter even played in a band together. Grandma was their "Road Manager" as she took them to county fairs, state fairs and other venues. She would even record their performances......I am really hoping we can find those tapes !! Grandma logged many miles going to concerts and quarter horse shows and became very adept at packing. It's been said she always was well prepared and packed everything including the ironing board !

Grandma loved to bake and she especially loved to bake with her grandkids, great-grandkids and the children she babysat. Everyone got an apron and got elbow-deep in flour as they made bread, cinnamon rolls or pies. The funnest part was then getting to take some of it home.

Grandma definitely had a servant's heart. After a brief move to Texas, she returned to Walsh in 1977 to take care of her parents until her father passed in 1979 and her mother in 1981. She then returned to babysitting in her home and took care of countless children including my own.

After continuing to fail in health, Grandma moved to the Walsh Nursing Home in April of this year and passed away on Friday, June 22, 2012 at the age of 87. Grandma was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Mary Pickell Alfrey; sisters Coline and Leolyn; and brothers Eugene and Norlan. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Lynda and Gene Noe of Walsh; Beverly and Van Freeman of Walsh; and Gayle and Sim Callahan of Amarillo, TX; one sister-in-law, Verna Lee Alfrey of Walsh; 8 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 3 great, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.