Alicia McCracken

Alicia McCracken

1924-2021

Alicia Marvella (Reed) McCracken, 97, of Davenport, Iowa, formerly of Thornburg, died peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 at The Kahl Home in Davenport, Iowa. Funeral services began at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23 at Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer. Visitation with the family was held at 10 a.m. on Saturday and lasted until the time of service. Burial is in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg. Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.hollandcoblefuneralhome.com.

Alicia “Mike” was born March 11, 1924 of John Dayton and Minnie May (James) Reed in Ottumwa.  She was raised in Ottumwa, graduating from Ottumwa High School in the Class of 1942.  She then attended Ottumwa Heights College, graduating from there in 1944.

Alicia served in the U.S. Army Air Forces from April 27, 1944 through Dec. 20, 1945, as a clerk typist in the 464th Army Air Force at Fort McChord Washington.  She was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.  Upon return from serving her country she entered Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa graduating from there in May 1948. On May 29, 1951 Alicia and William Donald McCracken were united in marriage at the What Cheer United Methodist Church.  They had one daughter, Alicia Louise.

Alicia entered her vocation, as a business teacher, at South High School in What Cheer in 1948.  She taught in the What Cheer Independent School District from 1948-51 then moved to Thornburg Consolidated School District from 1951-53. The two districts combined in 1956 to form the Tri-County Community School district where she taught until her retirement in 1988.  Upon retirement she and Don relocated to Bettendorf, Iowa in 1989 to be nearer Louise and family.

In earlier years she and Don enjoyed dancing and going to ballgames, the retirement years included gambling at the local casinos as well as watching numerous soccer and baseball/softball games their grandchildren participated in.

Alicia leaves her daughter, Alicia Louise and son-in-law, Dr. James Owens of Bettendorf, grandson, Michael V. Owens of Davenport, and granddaughter, Cathy Meinsma and husband, Jason Meinsma and great grandsons, Weston A. and Oliver A. Meinsma of Dewitt, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her husband (July 2013), her parents, brothers, John and James and sisters, Patricia Bowden and Gloria Green.