About two years into the Great Depression, on May 22, 1932, the day dawned in Prague, Oklahoma with a springtime shower. By the end of the day, the temperature had risen to 90 degrees and Louis and Janey
Alice (Luster) Tomanka had delivered their first child, and only baby girl, into this world. Alice Juanita later had a starring role as the big sister to two brothers, Donald Wayne Tomanka and Richard Allen Tomanka. The family moved to Idaho before settling in Cedar Rapids, IA. Times were very hard for the Tomanka family. Money was scarce, help was not accepted, and the family went without. It was during this time that Alice learned to be frugal and get by on less.

In 1947, when she was fifteen years old, she was standing on the front steps of the First Christian Church In Cedar Rapids, when she was introduced to handsome high school senior and watch repairman,
Richard Charles Deaver, by his best friend, Ronnie Wright. The two must have hit it off, and Louis and Janey Alice must have approved, because just three years later, on a clear October day, Richard made Alice his forever bride. Richard joined the Air Force and while he was stationed in Casablanca, Africa, Alice stayed in Cedar Rapids waiting for his return. When Richard returned from Africa, they settled in Moses Lake, Washington at Larson AFB where the first of their two boys, Richard Charles "Chuck" Deaver, Jr. was born. Richard worked in precision measurement avionics (PMEL) at that time, while Alice worked for the telephone company as an operator. It was through the Air Force years that Alice learned to be independent.

Richard, Alice, and Chuck then moved to Cedar Rapids where he returned to work at Collins Radio doing instrumentation and, following the birth of a second son, Robert "Rob" Charles Deaver, Alice went to work for Square D making circuit breakers. It was during this time that she met her lifelong friend, Bertha
Garner. She worked for over thirty years and Richard for forty-two. They both retired within a few months of each other. It was through her promotions at Square D that Alice learned to be tough.

Richard and Alice raised Chuck and Rob through the ball games, school, mud puddles, fights, bicycle flat tires, and snips and snails and puppy dog tails. They had strong expectations that their boys would be men of integrity and substance. It was through raising children that Alice learned love.

During the early years of their retirement, they loved the hot sandy beaches, vibrant colors, and umbrella drinks that were found in Hawaii and the Bahamas. They made those trips with her brothers and their wives. Then, as a surprise birthday or anniversary gift, Alice took Richard on a trip back to Casablanca, Africa. It was through their travels that Alice learned to enjoy herself.

On one of their many trips, Richard and Alice, traveled to Colorado Springs, CO to visit the parents of one of Rob's kindergarten friends. It was more beautiful than Richard could stand - he fell in love with the mountains and knew he had to be near that place where they touch the sky. So he decided that they were moving. Alice remarked later in years that she didn't want to move, but she did it, for him. It was a beautiful home with a picture window looking out at Pike's Peak and the Air Force Academy. Richard had built a deck
where he spent many a night of his waning years looking at the stars and watching airplanes flying into Denver. It was at their Pike's Peak home, that Alice learned sacrifice.

Then on a chilly day in April, 1997, Richard went on ahead without his forever bride. It was then, that Alice learned sorrow.

Following the loss of her lifetime love, just a few years short of their fiftieth anniversary, she played some bridge with a women's club. It was then, that Alice learned to function.

In the years of 1996-2000, while her grandson, Michael, was at the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, she sponsored a young man named Greg Voelkel. Mike and Greg and the Cadets spent a lot of time
at Grandma's house. It was then, that Alice learned to have fun again.

In December, 2016, she completed her life map circle and wound up back in Oklahoma to live near her son in Shawnee so that he could dote on her and make her feel special. It was then, that Alice learned to seek happiness with her sons.

Alice Juanita Tomanka Deaver died September 14, 2017. This Depression Era baby turned Air Force wife was a force to be reckoned with as she did things her way or not at all, unless it came to the men in her
life, Richard, Chuck, and Rob, for whom she would do anything.

She leaves behind her brothers, Donald Wayne Tomanka and Rich Tomanka and wife Judy, her sons Richard Charles "Chuck" Deaver and his wife Virgie, Robert Charles "Rob" Deaver two grandsons: Michael Eugene Deaver and wife Ashley, and Richard Charles "Rick" Deaver, III, two granddaughters: Melissa Suzanne Bolton and her husband Adam and Breanne Alyce Walker and her husband Cory. In addition, she had those who called her Grammy: three great grandsons: Owen Michael Deaver, Lincoln Clay Bolton and Sawyer Ryan Bolton, and four great granddaughters: Michaela Erin Deaver, Charlotte Jacqueline Deaver, Alexandra Paige Deaver and Maisie Charlotte Walker. In addition to Bertha Garner, she had two other close friends she called her own,
Paula Carnell and Linda Petroliwitz.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard, one sister-in-law, Beth Tomanka, and two daughters born still sleeping.

The family will receive friends during a visitation to celebrate her life on Tuesday, September 19 at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home East, 1228 2nd Street S.E. in Cedar Rapids, IA from 5:00-8:00 pm. Graveside services will take place at 2:00 pm Wednesday, September 20 at Cedar Memorial Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, IA. where she will be laid to rest beside her groom.