Kenneth Alberts

Kenneth G. Alberts, 86, a life-long Dodge County dairy producer, died Saturday at his home in rural Pine Island. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 2:00 P.M. at the United Methodist Church in Pine Island with Reverend Greg Strunk officiating. Burial will be in Pine Island Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Monday from 3:00 ? 6:00 P.M. at the Mahn Family Funeral Home ? Mahler Chapel in Pine Island and on Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Kenneth George Alberts was born on October 1, 1920 in Milton Township, Dodge County, MN to Lloyd H. and Anna R. (nee Speich) Alberts. He attended Harkum Rural School in Milton Township and graduated from the University of Minnesota?s School of Agriculture in 1940. He married Florence P. Olson on September 2, 1951 in Eyota. Mr. Alberts? family began dairy farming in Dodge County in the mid-1800s. With his late brother, Myron, he founded Alberts Bros. Pine Shelter Farms in the mid 1950s. Pine Shelter Farm now involves the fifth generation of family members raising registered Holsteins. An active member of the Minnesota and National Holstein Associations, he was honored to have one of his cows chosen as Grand Champion at the International Holstein Show in Madison in 2003. In 2006 he received the Distinguished Breeder Award from the Minnesota Purebred Dairy Cattle Association. Mr. Alberts served as a member and chair of the Dodge County Soil and Water for 36 years, the Pine Island Farmers Elevator Board, the Pine Island School Board as a member and chair, the Pine Island Independent Order of Odd Fellows as a member and was a Dodge County 4-H leader. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Pine Island, and was a member and chair of the church board. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Florence, three sons, David (Madge) Alberts, Duane Alberts and Richard (Terry) Alberts all of Pine Island; one daughter Amy (Stanley) Sauder of Pine Island; eleven grandchildren, one step-grandchild, two great-grandchildren, one step-great grandchild and four sisters, Marie (Vernon) Rucker of Oronoco, Lois (William) Pedersen of Bloomington, Joyce (Donald) Gustafson of Red Wing, and Mildred (Joseph) Pellish of Boerne, Texas. He was preceded in death by his sister, Audrey Alberts, his brother, Myron and infant twin brothers. The family suggests memorials to the Heartland Home Care and Hospice, United Methodist Church or Donor?s choice.