Alberta J. Whittern

Alberta J. Whittern, 91 years old recently of Auburn, IN and formerly of Monroeville, IN, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at her daughter’s residence.

She was born on Thursday, November 19, 1925 in Allen County, Indiana the daughter of the late Carl W. Saalfrank and the late Clara M. (Judt) Saalfrank. She married Robert R. Whittern on July 27, 1945 in Allen County, Indiana and he preceded her in death on August 15, 1989. She was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Soest in Fort Wayne and a former member of the Monroeville United Methodist Church.

Alberta was raised on a farm just North of Hoagland, Indiana. They raised milk cows, sheep, pigs and chickens along with many crops. Alberta and her brothers would often take the family buggy for a joy ride down the hill next to the barn. She graduated from Hoagland High School when she was sixteen years old. She and her siblings performed in a band at church events and family gatherings. Alberta played the Hawaiian slide guitar.

She met her husband Robert at Hoagland High School. When World War II broke out, Robert joined the army and Alberta worked several jobs including one in a factory that manufactured the dies that were used to make wire for electric motors. After the war ended, Robert returned to the states and they were married several months before Robert was discharged. During that period they lived in Newport News and Little Rock.

Alberta and Robert bought land just North of Monroeville and built their home there. As a homemaker, Alberta had an extensive vegetable garden and decorated the landscape with many flower gardens and fruit trees. Alberta played hand bells in the Methodist church and even took piano lessons from the famed knuckle wrapper, Mrs. Webb. All of her children were taught to play piano and they still carry on her love for music. She sewed clothes both for herself and her family and taught her children to do so as well. She loved needle craft including crocheting, macramé, needlepoint and cross stitch. Her creations continue to grace the homes of her children and grandchildren. Dinner was never late, everything was always in its place and cleanliness was next to godliness.

As the children grew, Alberta and Robert started camping and traveling and developed a strong love for the outdoors. Alberta loved the mountains. Hiking to waterfalls, lakes and meadows filled with flowers become one of the great joys of her life. She continued to hike well into her nineties covering thousands of miles with her husband, children and grandchildren and documented her journeys with thousands of photographs. In her late fifties she began cross country skiing with her family to experience the mountains in winter; even spending nights in remote cabins and yurts in sub-zero temperatures. She loved the beauty of a snowy winter landscape. She has been to all fifty states and many Canadian provinces. Her children all continue to share this love of the outdoors and natural beauty.

Family was very important to Alberta…she treasured the time she spent with them. Up until a stroke limited her memory and vision she could remember all of the birthdays of her many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings included wonderful home cooked meals and a chance for all to get together. She cherished visits from her family right up to her passing.

Surviving Alberta are her daughter, Sharon (Lynn) Gerig of Monroeville, IN; son, Stanley (Glenda) Whittern of Box Elder, SD; daughter, Jane (Dale) Brager of Auburn, IN; son, Alan (Cathy) Whittern of Longmont, CO; sister, Shirley Clover of Fort Wayne, IN; brother, Robert (Celeste) Saalfrank of Fort Wayne, IN; 13 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Alberta in death were a daughter, Linda Sue Whittern; a son, Ronald Whittern; and four brothers, George, Raymond, Richard, & Melvin Saalfrank.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel, 111 South Water Street in Monroeville with Pastor Jim Farrer officiating. Interment will follow in the Monroeville Memorial Cemetery.

Friends will be received from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 3 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville.

Preferred memorials are to Heartland Hospice or the donor's choice.