Richard O. (Dick) Alberts, 78, of Mantorville passed away peacefully Monday, March 6, at his home in Mantorville. He was born February 24, 1945 to Orvis and Gloria Alberts.
Richard grew up on his parents’ farm east of Kasson and later north of Mantorville. Dick attended a country school for four years and finished his elementary school years at Mantorville Elementary School, completing his high school education at Kasson-Mantorville High School. He pursued his higher education at St. Olaf College graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree; continuing on at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Richard worked for the State of Minnesota’s Highway Department for a time; later working for a shipyard in New Orleans, then building houses with Kasson local builder Kenneth Keller. Richard started pursuing his passion for farming in Wisconsin where he met and married Cheryle Bach. Together they farmed and raised sheep and award-winning Holstein cattle. They then moved to a farm north of Mantorville where their four children were born. Following retirement, Richard pursued his interest in gardening and outdoor work raising and sharing many fruits and vegetables.
Richard was a devoted Christian, starting his church involvement at the Owatonna Seventh Day Adventist Church. After his marriage to Gladys, they joined the Dodge Center Seventh Day Adventist Church where Richard was a dedicated member. He strived to live a Godly life truly practicing his religion. The church community was very happy to have him as a member of their congregation. Richard was always available to anyone who needed a ride to church or to any other destination they needed to go. He could be seen picking up his passengers in his little blue Festiva car and traveling down the road to whatever destination was needed.
Richard is survived by his wife Gladys, whom he married January 12, 2006; daughter Sarah (Shane) Witt of Whitehall, Wisconsin; sons Michael Alberts of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Matthew (Mikayla) Alberts of Cadott, Wisconsin and Nathan Alberts of Osseo, Wisconsin; his mother Gloria Alberts of Mantorville; step-children Shonda Magee, and Gemain Magee and eight step-grandchildren. Richard was preceded in death by his father Orvis and brother Ronald.
The funeral service for Richard will be held at 12:00 pm on Sunday, March 12 at the Dodge Center Seventh Day Adventist Church, 410 3rd Ave NW, Dodge Center, MN with Pastor Keith Moser officiating. Visitation will be at the church one hour (11:00am – noon) prior to the service on Sunday. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery, Mantorville following the service.
I send my condolences and prayers to the Alberts family. Walt Pappas
Dick was a great friend from the time my family moved to Mantorville in 1957 until, sadly, his passing. Over those many years we may have been many miles apart but we always kept in touch. When we did meet it was as if we hadn’t been far apart. I’ll miss his friendship, his honesty, his candor and his humor. RIP old friend.