Alice L. Niska

Alice L. Niska, 87, of Astoria, died Sunday, March 7, 2010, in Astoria.

She was born Aug. 29, 1922, in Astoria, to Oscar and Nellie I. (Pelletier) Gustafson. She was raised in Astoria and graduated from Astoria High School in 1940.

In 1941, she enlisted into the Women's Army Corps and served until 1945. After being stationed in Washington, D.C., she returned to Astoria.

In 1947, she married Ernest J. Patenaude. He preceded her in death in 1954.

In 1955, she married Edwin Niska. He preceded her in death in 1989.

Mrs. Niska worked for many years as a legal secretary for various attorneys, including McDonald, Dean, McCallister and Snow. She retired in 1977 due to ill health.

Family members said her hobbies included playing bingo, garage sales and reading.

She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and Mark Litterman of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Grace Niska-Atkins and Paul Atkins of Honolulu; a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Kathryn Patenaude of Astoria; and three grandchildren, Christoper and Sarah Patenaude and Laura Reith of Astoria.

She was preceded in death by a son, Ernie Patenaude, on May 14, 2006.

A memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 12 at Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society, in care of Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.