Alice Mae Irwin

Alice Mae (March) Irwin, 77, of Green Valley, Arizona, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, surrounded by her loving family.

Alice was born on July 9, 1948, in Wolf Lake, Indiana, to Vaughn and Sadie (Esch) Trumbull. She graduated with the Class of 1966 from Bethany Christian High School, where she made lifelong friends and developed the strong sense of faith and devotion that would guide her throughout her life.

On March 23, 1968, Alice married the first love of her life, Thomas Norman March, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Together they built a home filled with love, laughter, and steadfast faith. They raised their two children, Brian and Laura, with warmth and care—values that reflected Alice’s belief that her most important calling was that of a wife and mother. She held this role with great joy and a deep sense of purpose.

Alice and Tom made their home in Fort Wayne until 1980, when they moved to Wilton, Iowa, before settling in Newton, Iowa, in 1986. Throughout the years, Alice worked in clerical roles for various businesses, always bringing diligence and kindness to her work. She also pursued her creative passions, even owning a ceramic shop for a time, where she shared her love of art with others.

After losing Tom to cancer in 2001, Alice planned to remain single and independent, but God had other plans. She met John James Irwin, who swept her off her feet, and they married on May 19, 2007, making their home in the Des Moines, Iowa, area. Their travels took them on many adventures, and they cherished spoiling their grandchildren together. After spending several winters as “snowbirds” in Green Valley, Arizona, they made it their permanent home in 2018. After John’s passing in 2020, Alice remained fiercely independent and active, continuing to live in the desert climate and community she loved.

Alice had a zest for life and a playful spirit. She loved gathering friends and family for games— cards, board games, or anything that brought people together and sparked laughter. She even learned to ride a motorcycle, and she and John traveled the country relishing the freedom and excitement of the open road. Her faith remained the cornerstone of her life; she dearly loved her church, her grandchildren, and above all, her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Brian (Tammy) March; daughter, Laura (Joseph) Samo; stepson Michael (Sarah) Irwin; beloved grandchildren, Peter (Talya) March, Chloe March (Jacob Chase), Grace Samo, and Isaac Samo; and her brother, Charles (Helen) Trumbull. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Thomas March; her second husband, John Irwin; and her sister, Mildred Welty.

A funeral service celebrating Alice’s life will be held at New Life Community Church in Marion, Iowa, on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. The family will greet friends for a time of visitation one hour prior, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. A committal service will follow the next day at Newton Union Cemetery in Newton, Iowa, on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

Alice will be remembered for her loving heart, creative spirit, and unwavering faith—a woman whose presence made every gathering brighter and every life she touched a little more joyful.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Alice’s memory to the American Cancer Society or the Gospel Rescue Mission of Tucson, Arizona. Donations may be completed online, brought to the visitation, funeral service, or committal service, or dropped off at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton.

American Cancer Society: https://donate.cancer.org/?campaign=honormemorialmedia

Gospel Rescue Mission of Tucson: https://grmtucson.com/donate