Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, Alice A. Sartori passed away peacefully on September 18th, 2024, in her home at the age of 86 surrounded by her four children. Preceded in death by her late husband Larry H. Sartori of 65 years and blessed with four children—-Rick (Susie) Sartori, Vicki Sartori (Alan Bushur), Kim (Gary) Wertenberger and Tim (Christie) Sartori, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Alice was born November 14th, 1937, to Chalice and Edmond Bresnan of Decatur, IL. Alice joins her deceased siblings– brothers Dr. Paul Bresnan and Robert Bresnan, and sisters Virginia Grant, Margaret Craycroft, Barbara Alexander, Jackie Butcher, and Grace Bresnan. As the baby of the family she was an ole fashioned tomboy who loved softball and skipping school! She moved to St. Louis as a teenager and graduated from Eugene Coyle High School in Kirkwood, MO.
After a blind date in 1956, Larry met Alice and knew immediately that he would marry this Irish girl from Decatur, IL. However, Alice wasn’t completely convinced. You see Larry was younger than her –5 months to be exact. However, Larry wooed her on their first date with his dancing and a nice dinner. They dated for 3 years, and Larry waited until 21 when they married on May 23, 1959. They immediately started a family and were blessed with 4 children over a 21-year span – Rick, Vick, Kim, and Tim.
Alice worked at Commerce Bank for over 40 years. Together with her husband, they worked hard to support the educational and growing needs of their family. South County was home and where they raised their family. Alice was a devout Catholic and parishioner of Mary Mother of the Church since its inception. One of her earliest memories is attending Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions the day World War II ended. These devotions continued while raising her family. Together with Larry, they were a great example of a married couple still in love, a marriage built on strong faith, shared dreams, respect, and humility.
Alice “Butch” Sartori loved the beach, watching sunsets and gardening. While sewing might not have been her strong suit, she certainly made up for it in the kitchen. Her famous lasagna, homemade stuffing and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies were all family favorites. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday and she treasured family time. Other memories included the famous fudge and popcorn parties with nieces, nephews and extended family. Alice loved to play cards and was typically the winner of the family game of Oh Hell! Alice loved her clothes and after a long day of dragging Larry to various shopping destinations, ultimately to find something in black, you could find her in the evenings having a glass of wine with Larry on the back patio. While she loved many things, we all know there were a few things she didn’t like; she didn’t like being alone, she didn’t like to drive, and certainly didn’t like to be told what to do. While she might have been petite in stature, her strong-willed approach spared no one in her path and her convictions and beliefs were steadfast even until her final days. Alice and Larry were together for 65 years of marriage up until his death on August 16, 2024. It only took her 32 days to be reunited with the love of her life again.
Visitation will take place on Friday, September 27th at 10:00 am at Mary Mother of the Church, 5901 Kerth Road, followed by a Memorial Mass at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Alice Sartori can be made to the Redemptorists, c/o Rev. Peter Schavitz, C.Ss.R., St. Clements, 300 Liguori Dr., Barnhart, MO 63012.
Alice moved through life on earth to her eternity with grace, spirit, strength and a smile that will be missed.
She has taught me much by the way she lived.
My neighbor, my friend.
I
My family offers their condolences during this time to you and your family and friends.
Alice was a sweet, sweet lady and a special caregiver. Our family was so lucky and honored to be her friend and her kindness and thoughtfulness will never be forgotten. May she rest in peace!
Our condolences, once again, to all the family. Alice has been a caring and active neighbor for a long time. We remember most the work she and Larry did in the early days of the subdivision to help get the streets dedicated and the common grounds improved. She will be missed.
My heartfelt condolences go out to my cousins, Rick, Vickie, Kim, Tim and all their children and grandchildren on the loss of their mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, my aunt, Alice. I will always remember her as Butchie, the name I used for her all of my life. She was a never ending ray of sunshine that made everyday better just by being in it.
She was stronger than her size would have you believe. With Uncle Larry, they built a family, a life and and a world that welcomed and enriched those that they came to know.
They met challenges that might have crushed weaker souls. Their faith was what they shared and used to get through every obstacle, every heartbreak, and every joy that they were given. I was truly amazed and marveled at the various issues that they carried each other through with grace and poise, accepting each challenge as another building block in a life well lived.
They will both be missed, loved and remembered with all the smiles, the laughter, tears, and the beauty that was Butch and Larry. The world will never be the same and I will always be forever grateful for having known them and for being allowed in their lives. They certainly made my life much better and will always do so.
With much love and a tear,
Gary