Robert Albers

Robert “Bob” Albers, 88, of Hazen, ND died Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Sakakawea Medical Center, Hazen. Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, October 1, 2018 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hazen with Pastor Kirk Peters officiating. Burial will follow at St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery, Hazen.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 PM on Sunday, September 30 at Barbot Funeral Home, Hazen and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

On May 10, 1930, Bob was born in Hazen, the son of Edward and Ida (Lange) Albers.  He was the third child of seven, with three brothers and three sisters.  He grew up on the family farm in the sand hill country southeast of Hazen.  He graduated from Hazen High School in 1947. Bob worked for his father on the farm until the summer of 1948 when he began operating heavy equipment and hauled cattle. Bob went to Dickinson Teacher’s College in the summer of 1949 and received his certificate to teach in rural North Dakota.  He then taught two years in his home district Cambridge and two years in Antelope Valley School.

Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army in May 23 of 1952, and took his basic training at Fort Lee, Virginia.  Bob volunteered for overseas duty and was sent to Hokaido, Japan, in the fall of 1952.  His unit was transferred to Korea in the summer of 1953.  Bob returned to the USA in the spring of 1954 and was discharged on April 22.  He returned to Hazen and resumed farming with his dad.

On May 17, 1957, Bob married Christine Adolf in Hazen.  Bob and Christine were dairy farmers until 1973 when they changed to a cattle feeding operation.  He was elected ND State Senator for District 33 in the fall of 1976 and served for six years.   Bob was also elected as one of three Mercer county commissioners in the fall of 1989.  Bob always enjoyed serving the public and was quite active on various boards and committees: 4-H club leader for 25 years, member of the Wrangler Saddle Club, FMHA Director, Chairman of the State Dairy Association, Co-Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mined Land Reclamation, and Vice-Chairman of the Mercer County Social Services Board.  In 1982, Bob started a home business dealing with farm and ranch management.  

As a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, he was Walther League President -both local and state, taught Vacation Bible School, was an elder, church president, and Fellowship Hall finance chairman.

Bob enjoyed taking his 1935 Model B John Deere tractor to area parades and threshing shows.  Hunting became an interest of his later in life. He always enjoyed spending time with his family. 

He is survived by his wife, Christine of 61 years; one daughter, Marjorie (Martin) Schock  of New Leipzig, ND; two sons, Dwight (Lois) of Coon Rapids, Minnesota and  Brian (Janice) of Montevideo, Minnesota; nine grandchildren, Amanda (Tanner) Rix, Melissa (Kyle) Cossel, Matthew Schock, Andrea (Harlan) Stewart, Jennifer (Curtis) Heim, Kimberly and Austin Albers, Elizabeth and Donavon Albers; nine great grandchildren, Olivia, Paxton and Xavier Rix, Josiah, Micaiah and Eliora Cossel, Theodore Stewart, Kennedy and Colette Heim; one sister, Jeanna (James) Schafer; two brothers, Floyd “Jim” (Carol) Albers and Gerald “Jerry” (Shirley) Albers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Donavon; two sisters, Durene Rounds and Arlene Winckler; and two brothers-in-law, Pat Rounds and Bob Winckler.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be given to Sakakawea Hospice, Hazen, ND.

Arrangements conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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