Nellie “Alice” Denver, age 96, peacefully passed into heaven on October 14, 2026. Alice was born in Sullivan County on December 6, 1929 to parents Albert and Nellie Harlan Patterson.

She grew up on a farm near Unionville, MO with her parents and six siblings. After graduating from Unionville High School in 1948, Alice moved to St. Joseph, MO to attend the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing program where she graduated in 1951 as a Registered Nurse.

After graduating, she married her husband James Denver on December 8, 1951. They lived their entire life in St. Joseph where they raised their only child, Mary Beth Denver.

Alice worked several years as a Registered Nurse at the St. Joseph Hospital and also in the office of Dr. Martin H. Christ.

Surviving family includes: Daughter Mary Beth Denver Hey (Greg); Granddaughter Erin Hey McGhee (Joel); Grandson Austin Hey (Sara); Great-grandchildren Maddox, Asher and Tripp McGhee, Grace, Kate and Ella Hey; Sister Lois Glotzbach; Sister-in-law Patricia Patterson; Nieces Julie Ryder, Jill Collins, Barbara Peterson, Melinda Denver; Nephew Patrick Collins.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband; Brothers George, Albert and Herbert Patterson; Sisters Evelyn Lloyd and Eloise Hartman; Nieces and nephews Camilla Yeend, Ladonna Rowell, Cheryl Klaas, Kevin Denver, Debbie, Mike, Shelly, Dean, and David Patterson.

Alice loved gathering with her friends and family and treasured time spent together sharing meals and playing cards. She was very creative and enjoyed using her sewing and crochet skills to make donations for charity. Researching family genealogy records was a favorite hobby as well as reading, journaling and walking for exercise.

Helping others filled much of her time. As a long time member of Brookdale Church, Alice enjoyed serving in the church’s encouragement card ministry, preparing funeral meals and going on short-term mission trips to south Missouri. She also served regularly at the St. Joseph Food Kitchen and Inter-Serve Meals on Wheels program.

Alice loved to laugh and looked for the joy all around her. Her strong faith in God, her laughter, bright smile and kindness will be remembered with love.

Services will be Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 11:00 am at Northland Church, 7101 NW Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, MO. Visitation will precede the service beginning at 10:00 am.