Gerald "Jerry" M Alber

Gerald “Jerry” Marvin Alber, age 79, of Blue Hill, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, May 14th, 2022, at his home on the farmstead south of town.

Gerald was born November 8th, 1942, in Hastings, Nebraska to Wilford and Lois (Sexton) Alber. He graduated from Blue Hill High School in 1961 and enlisted in the US Air Force. After being stationed at Bunker Hill, Indiana, and honorarbly discharged from the military, he met his wife, Rebecca “Becky” Hawkins, while working at Ida and Andy, a local pipe company. Gerald and Becky were married on July 29th, 1967, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Rosemont, Nebraska. They spent the next six years in the Kokomo, Indiana area, where they started their family. Gerald took night classes, becoming a licensed plumber while maintaining a full-time job. Gerald and his family moved back to Blue Hill to help his dad with the family farm. Later, Gerald was a foreman on numerous plumbing projects.

Gerald was constantly on the move, busy farming, gardening, plumbing, repairing machinery, or tending livestock. He was a lifelong motorsports fan taking pride in his drag racing days at Bunker Hill Drag Strip and as a Pit crew member for his son at the Speedbowl in Red Cloud. He also enjoyed amusement parks and was an avid rollercoaster enthusiast. Gerald genuinely enjoyed the peace and quiet of the farm while relaxing in his lawn chair.

Gerald devoted himself to his family and  enjoyed every moment with his grandchildren. His kind eyes held wisdom and many stories of life on the farm. His grizzly beard served as the avenue for many jokes, and he was reliably seen with a Dr. Pepper in hand.

Gerald was preceded in death by his wife Rebecca “Becky” Alber, parents Wilford and Lois Alber, and sister Virginia Schmidt.

He is survived by a daughter, Angii and Barry Kort of Belleville, KS, and two sons, Tim Alber and Keri Schunk, and Marty and Jill Alber, both of Blue Hill; grandchildren, Kerry Kort, Kody Kort, Kelsey and Nick Junker, Kegan Kort, and Katie Kort, all of Kansas, Taylor, Mackenzie, and Casen Alber of Blue Hill, brother Lynn and Donna Alber of Hastings, brother-in-law Melvin Schmidt of Sullivan, Illinois, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Cheri and Butch Schulenburg of Cowles, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

There will be no viewing or visitation as Gerald wished to be cremated. A private service with military rights will be held at a later date. Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud is in charge of arrangements. His ashes will be interred with his wife Becky at the Red Cloud Cemetery. Condolences and memorials may be directed to:

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970
Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald "Jerry" M Alber, please visit our floral store.