Joan Albers

Joan Louise Albers, 90, of Red Wing, died Sunday, October 19, 2008, at the Fairview Red Wing Medical Center. She was born on September 12, 1918 in Belvidere Mills, Goodhue County, Minnesota to George and Lydia (Gerdes) VonBargen. She attended schools in Belvidere and on June 26, 1941, she was married to Norman Albers. She worked for Red Wing Pottery, LaGrange Shoe Company and Red Wing Advertising and then for many years at Jostens retiring from there. Norman died on June 24, 2005. She was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed many other artistic projects. Her family recalls how she was known for her kindness and helpfulness to others.

Survivors include three children, Janice (Neil) Swartz of Fayetteville, Ark., Gary (Jane) Albers of Red Wing and Sherry (Bill) Stechmann of Red Wing; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and two brother-in-laws, Raymond Jonas of Red Wing and Vernon (Selma) Albers of Goodhue. She was preceded in death by her husband, one brother, Ronald VonBargen and one sister, Marion Jonas.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Friday at Concordia Lutheran Church with Rev. Ronald Stehr officiating. Burial will be in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Gina Johnson, Scott Albers, Michael and Carolyn Lester, Jacob and Samuel Stechmann and Kristin Lowrie. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and at the church for one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred to the church.