Alice L. Wilbur

Wednesday, May 8, 2019 1:12 pm

Alice L. Wilbur, 99, of Decorah, died Sunday, May 5, 2019, at Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah. Funeral services are at 11 a.m. Friday, May 10, at Burr Oak United Methodist Church in Burr Oak, with Karen Carlton officiating. Burial is in Burr Oak Cemetery. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah and Friday beginning at 10 a.m., one hour before the service at Burr Oak United Methodist Church. Pianist is Erika Delphey. Hymns are “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” and “Hymn of Promise.” Scripture readers are Russ Wilbur, Melissa Wilbur, Susie Munroe and Steve Wilbur. Casket bearers are her grandsons: Russ Wilbur, Steve Wilbur, Jason Haack, Cory Haack, Ben Wilbur and Andy Wilbur.

Alice Lorraine (Albertson) Wilbur was born April 12, 1920, the 11th of 12 children, to Henry O. and Ella Theresa (Espeseth) Albertson at home on their farm in Lincoln Township, Winneshiek County. She was baptized at the Lincoln Lutheran Church near Ridgeway. Her grade school education was in Winneshiek and Howard Counties. At age 13 she went to live with her oldest brother Ole and his wife Gladys, which enabled her to attend high school. She was active in 4-H and joined Burr Oak United Methodist Church in 1938. She graduated from Burr Oak High School in 1937. Luther College became coeducational in 1936 by admitting women. She entered Luther in 1937, in the second class of admitted students that included enrolled women. Alice graduated from Luther’s two-year elementary education course in 1939. She then taught school for three years.

Alice was united in marriage to Lyle Everette Wilbur Sept. 6, 1941, at Burr Oak United Methodist Church. They were blessed with five children: Curtis, Cleon, Karen, Wanda and Mark.

Lyle and Alice farmed in the Prosper, Minn. area for many years, until 1978, when they retired and moved into Decorah. She kept busy with her children, farm work, 4-H, church and Sunday school. After their retirement, she did volunteer work at Aase Haugen Homes, Oneota Riverview Care Facility and at the Senior Citizens Center, stitching quilts.

Alice became a resident of Barthel O.E.S. Home in Decorah in July 2017. She passed away there Sunday, May 5, at the age of 99.

Alice is survived by two sons, Curtis (Janice) Wilbur of Miller, S.D. and Mark (Kathy) Wilbur of Decorah; 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren: Teresa Klein of Coventry, Conn., Kiera Klein and Cayden Klein; Steve (Kelly) Wilbur of Blaine, Minn., John Wilbur and Logan Wilbur; Russ (Pam) Wilbur of Cold Spring, Minn., Adam Wilbur and Timothy Wilbur; Melissa (Paul) Steen of Edina, Minn., Maya Steen and Bennett Steen; Lynn (Alan Schultz) Wilbur of Minneapolis, Minn., Greta Wilbur and Isaac Schultz; Kris (Jared) Pearson of Wykoff, Minn., Alden Pearson and Logan Pearson; Keri (Matt) Burton of Excelsior, Minn., Jacob Burton, Jonah Burton and Josiah Burton; Stefanie (Trevor) Olson of Stewartville, Minn.; Susie (Mike) Munroe of Harmony, Minn., Taylor (Brittney) Jarland, their four children: Freia Jarland, Mya Jarland, Lincoln Jarland, Nina Jarland; and Jordan Jarland; Richard Arneson’s children: Paige (Matt) Floen, their two children: Cameron Floen and Ronan Floen; Lauren Arneson, and Bailey Arneson; Sara (Matt Behrens) Elton of Stewartville, Minn., and daughter Grace Elton; Jason (Anna) Haack of Eagle Lake, Minn., Victoria (Brian) Kohler and their son Nolan Kohler, Ronnie Haack and Amber Haack; Cory (Sarah) Haack of Bemidji, Minn., and their sons Connor Tollefson, Anthony Haack and Jeffrey Haack; Benjamin Wilbur of Rochester, Minn.; Andrew Wilbur of Minneapolis, Minn.; and Bianca (Ben Singer) Wilbur of Minneapolis, Minn.; and by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lyle, Jan. 10, 2001; her son, Cleon, Dec. 17, 2010; his wife, Marilyn, Jan. 5, 2002; her daughter, Karen Arneson, Sept. 3, 2016; her daughter, Wanda Haack, July 22, 2017; three grandsons: Richard Arneson, Darrel Preble and Trent Wilbur; one great-granddaughter, Tristan Haack; her 11 siblings: Ole (Gladys) Albertson, Alfred (Emma) Albertson, Mabel (Alfred) Creger, Herbert (Maude) Albertson, Ted Albertson in infancy, Tedmar (Lexcey) Albertson, Gladys (Mahlon) Hovey, Edward Albertson, Walter (Viola) Albertson, Raymond (Barbara) Albertson and Lawrence (Vera) Albertson; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Memorials may be given to Burr Oak United Methodist Church, 3597 237th Ave., Decorah, IA 52101 or Barthell O.E.S. Home, 911 Ridgewood Drive, Decorah, IA 52101.

Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at fjelstul.com.