Alberta J. Friedrich

Tuesday, October 30, 2018 4:47 pm

Alberta J. Friedrich, 88, of Elma, passed away Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, at Colonia Manor in Elma. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m. Sautrday, Nov. 3, at St. Paul’s Maple Leaf Lutheran Church in rural Elma. Burial will be in St. Paul’s Maple Leaf Cemetery at a later date. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at St. Paul’s Maple Leaf Lutheran Church, and will continue at the church Saturday one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul’s Maple Leaf Lutheran Church. Online condolences for Alberta’s family at conway-markhamfh.com.

Alberta Jean Friedrich was born Jan. 27, 1930, at Hampton, the fifth child and fourth daughter of Albert and Caroline Norman. She was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hampton, and her three younger sisters joined the family in following years. When Alberta was 10 years old, the family moved to Howard County and settled into farming near Riceville. Alberta was confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Riceville, attended country schools and graduated from Riceville High School in 1948. During her senior year she took Normal Training to become a country school teacher and taught in two different country schools near Saratoga and Elma the following three years. She married her high school sweetheart, Floyd A. Friedrich, June 7, 1949, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Riceville. They celebrated 65 years of marriage and lived most of their married life on their farm north of Elma. To this union four children were born: Connie, Roger, Julie Ann and Carol.

Floyd and Alberta were a team on their farm, raising cows, sheep, hogs and chickens, as well as farming the land and selling Vigortone Feed for many years. They had bountiful gardens surrounded by many colorful flower beds. Alberta was active in their church, St. Paul’s Maple Leaf Lutheran, in Ladies Aid or WELCA, mission quilting, teaching Sunday school, Bible school, calling committees and prayer chain. Alberta made a quilt for every member of her family, some of them winning ribbons at the Howard County Fair, including one that was voted Viewers’ Choice. She also loved flower arranging with fresh flowers from her own gardens and silk arrangements to share with family, friends and her church.

Alberta and Floyd traveled extensively, visiting all 50 states of the USA and countries in Europe, the Mediterranean, Caribbean and her favorite, China. All of their trips were extensively documented in photo albums and journals. Alberta was active in TOPS, Diet Rite Club, Colonial Manor Auxiliary and the Coffee and Thimble Club for many years. One of the joys of her life was organizing and hosting Norman family reunions at the farm the past 35 years, complete with many activities, meals and entertainment for several days. She loved to entertain family and friends for the holidays and baking treats and kolaches for them.
Alberta and Floyd were blessed with nine grandchildren and 11 grandchildren, who affectionately call her “Gigi.”

She is survived by her children: Connie (Tom) Buresh, Decorah; Roger (Julie) Friedrich, Kansas City; Carol (Dennis) Krueger, Pine Island, Minn.; grandchildren: Brent (Rachael) Buresh; Karri (Dale) Rutledge, Amanda (Greg) Grimm, Nicolas (Vanessa) Peterson, Joseph Peterson, David, Kurt and Kelly Krueger; great-grandchildren: Madeline Marquardt, Aubrey, Fiona and Brielle Buresh; Austin, Claire and Anna Rutledge; Alex, Kinnick and Gavin Grimm and Levi Peterson; three sisters: Marlys (Howard) Falck, Decorah; Joan Menken, Charles City and Janice Stevenson, Palm Bay, Fla.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Alberta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Floyd; daughter, Julie Ann; grandson, Michael; brother, Clifford Norman: sisters: Marcella Ficken, Lucille Duenow and Phyllis Robinson.

We celebrate a life well-lived; may she rest in peace.