- Date Of Birth: November 8, 1924
- Date Of Death: April 21, 2018
- State: Nebraska
Zola Gertrude Albers passed away at 11:30 PM on April 21st, 2018 at the Heritage Care Center in Red Cloud Ne. She was 93 years old when she passed into God’s eternal Kingdom.
Zola was born on Nov 8th, 1924 in Tecumseh Ne, the first-born daughter of Paul and Mabel Mahoney. Along with her sister Glena, she grew up in Crab Orchard, Ne then attended High School in Tecumseh. Upon graduation Zola worked at the Johnson County Bank and fought the battle of the home front during World War Two. On Aug 4th, 1945 she married Lieutenant JG Keith Albers who had hurried home on leave from his duties with the Pacific fleet. Anticipating that Keith would return to duty for the invasion of Japan, they returned to his home base in Washington State. Fortunately, the war ended and after his discharge in 1946, Keith returned to Peru State Teacher’s College to resume his education.
They moved to Cozad, Ne where Keith began teaching and Zola set up housekeeping in the post-war era. Their first son Barry was born on March 15th, 1948; their second son Bryan arrived also in March on the 10th, 1950. Eventually a third son, Daniel arrived on Dec 25th, 1953.
The family resided in Cozad where Keith taught and sold insurance. They then moved to Holdrege in the early 1970’s where he began a career in banking. In 1972 they moved to Red Cloud, NE where Keith worked at the People’s Webster County Bank. They would spend the rest of their lives in the Red Cloud community.
Zola was a full-time homemaker, working occasionally as a librarian. She was a typical housewife of her generation, maintaining a spotless home and kept her three boys well-dressed and well-behaved despite their boyish desire to be otherwise. She enjoyed traveling, reading and her many friends. Her family was the foundation of her life and she especially loved her grandchildren.
She was active in her church, the Red Cloud Methodist, and was always willing to help with community activities.
Zola was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Keith in 2011. Also, by her parents Paul and Mabel, her parents-in-law Leonard and Nettie. Zola’s sister Glena and her husband Jack Williams preceded her as did her sister-in-law Freda Hershey and her husband DeVan.
Left to remember her are her sons Barry and his wife Barbara of Grand Junction, CO; Bryan and his wife Betsy of Ralston NE; Dan and his wife Debbie of Blue Hill, NE. There are three grandchildren to cherish their grandmother’s memory: Becky Albers of Elkhorn Ne, Paul Albers of Omaha, Ne, and Amy Newman of Papillion, Ne. Her spouse Jason and his two children Kelsey and Brianna Newman. She will also be remembered by her niece Shelly Rowell and nephew Dave Williams.
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970
