Alicia M. Pence, 30, of Stronghurst, Illinois went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at 4:30am Thursday, January 31st, 2019 after a six year battle with brain cancer. She was born October 19, 1988 in Iowa City, IA the daughter of Troy and Melissa Peterson Phillips. She married her best friend, Travis Pence, on April 24, 2010 in Stronghurst.

Alicia was a 2007 graduate of West Central High School, and a 2011 graduate of Monmouth College with a Bachelor's Degree in psychology. In April 2010, she and her best friend, Danielle Covert, founded a non-profit dedicated to assisting families with basic needs. In her time as Executive Director, Alicia showed her love for her community by providing a non-judgmental, joy-filled environment where her neighbors and friends could come for nourishment for both body and soul. She currently was employed at Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. She and her husband own Stronghurst Collision & Refinish.

She was a member of Stronghurst Christian Church. She also attended The Crossing Church in Monmouth, IL. Alicia amplified the hands and feet of Jesus in all that she did. "Be Kind" was her daily motto and she showed that on a daily basis through her generous actions and her beautiful smile. She started everyday in The Word. She also enjoyed leading Bible studies, scrapbooking, and bowling. Alicia also loved sprint car racing. In addition to helping her husband with his car, she also helped manage and promote races.

Those left to cherish her memory include, her husband, Travis, one son, Lucas Pence, Stronghurst, her mother, Melissa McIntire of Stronghurst, one sister, Morgan Webb of West Burlington, IA, grandparents, Algie Peterson of Stronghurst, Bob and Sharon Rady of Burlington, IA and Bill Phillips of Burlington, IA, great-grandmothers, Elsie Newlan of Lomax, IL and Joyce Burtalo of Burlington, father-in-law, Ed Pence of Blandinsville, IL, mother-in-law, Treasa Pence of Stronghurst, sister-in-laws, Montana (Michael) Applegate of Atlantic, IA, and Lacey (Brian) Covert of LaHarpe, brother-in-law, Wyatt Pence of LaHarpe and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandmothers, Connie Stout, Sharon Phillips, and Mary Peterson, great-grandparents, Ernie and Betty Stimpson and Bill Burtalo.

The funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at the West Central Middle School Gymnasium in Stronghurst. Burial will follow in the Stronghurst Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, February 4 at the Gymnasium. A memorial fund has been established for Family Outreach Community Center.