Dorothy Albert

BRODHEAD – My name is Dorothy Mae Albert and this is my story:

I was born at home in Spring Green Wisconsin on May 20, 1919. My parents were Nel Sliter of Fennimore and Dilver Barto of Boscobel. I joined a sister 17 months older. We soon moved to Mount Hope Wisconsin and in 1924 we moved back to Spring Green, where we lived for about six years. We then moved to Lone Rock Wisconsin for a short time before moving to Fennimore where I graduated from high school in 1937.

I had a passion for dancing. My friends thought I would make a good dance teacher, but I wanted to be a nurse. Before I had the opportunity to pursue this career, I met the love of my life, Fred Albert, in 1935 at a roller rink. We married on March 7, 1939 in Dubuque, IA. Freddie worked on the road, so we moved around a lot and lived in our small trailer. He worked at Fairbanks during the WWII, when we lived in Beloit. Freddie grew up in Brodhead, so we decided to make this our permanent home.

My two proudest moments were when our two daughters, Diane and Denise, were born. For the next 10 years they grew up in our rental house on E. Exchange Street. We built the house of our dreams in 1957. I worked at the pickle factory and cold storage in the 50’s and at Apco Manufacturing in the 60’s.Our retirement was incredible! We took many vacations and visited 48 states, which included driving in New York City and Los Angeles. Because I didn’t have a driver’s license, Freddie drove and I navigated. We enjoyed wintering in Texas from 1978-1992.

My favorite pastime was knitting and reading. I read the bible about 30 times and read approximately a book a week until my eyesight no longer allowed me to do either. Our life was wonderful. Together we grew incredible gardens and preserved fruits and vegetables. We attribute our long life (Freddie was 101) to eating healthy, drinking mineral spring water all our lives, and staying active. I held Freddie’s hand all night before his Lord called him to join his parents and siblings. This was the first time in my life that I felt old. We were married 73 years.

In 2009, I caught pneumonia and later that year I fell and cracked my pelvis. I had heart issues in 2010 and needed a pace-maker. In 2012, I had a mild stroke, but recovered from all of these. Like my grandmother used to say, “you can’t keep an old horse down!”

I wish to thank those at St Elizabeth Manor and Agrace Hospice for easing our final years. A special thank you to family and friends who visited us. I am sorry to leave behind my two daughters, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren, but I am overjoyed to be reunited with my loving husband and look forward to join my sister who was also my best friend.

Please do not grieve. I have lived a long, wonderful life and have no regrets. Instead, please celebrate my long and happy life. We will meet again. Graveside services were held Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015, at Greenwood Cemetery, Brodhead, Wis.  The D.L. Newcomer Funeral Home, Brodhead, assisted the family. Online condolences may be made at www.dlnewcomerfuneralhome.com