Debra “Deb” Alberts

Monday, April 3, 2017 4:40 pm

Debra “Deb” Alberts, 49, of Decorah, died Tuesday, March 28, 2017, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer for six years. Memorial Mass was at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Organist was Mary Beth Bouska. Cantor was Cindy Schissel (“Be Not Afraid,” “Amazing Grace,” “Beautiful Savior,” “On Eagle’s Wings,” “Ave Maria” and “How Great Thou Art”). Lector was Jay Wheelock. Offertory gift bearers were Gene, Suzanne and Nathan Alberts.

Eucharistic minister was Greg Eaton. Honorary casket bearers were all of Debra’s cousins. Interment is at later date at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Hart, Minn. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.
Debra Ann (Gielow) Alberts was born March 29, 1967, the daughter of Karrol and Diane (Erdmann) Gielow in Winona, Minn. Deb attended school in Rushford, Minn., graduating from Rushford High in 1985. She then went on to attend and graduated from Winona Technical College as a cosmetologist. D
eb went on to operate her own salon throughout her 30-year career, with her shop in Decorah called Debra’s Hair Design. She was united in marriage to Thomas “Tom” Alberts at St. Martin’s Church in Winona, Minn. Oct. 6, 2001.

Deb was a strong-willed person all her life. She enjoyed her family, traveling, shopping, golfing and always looking her best (even if this meant being a half an hour late!). She was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and loved her pets, especially her cat, Sammy.

Deb is survived by her husband, Thomas “Tom” Alberts, Decorah; two children, James and Julia Alberts, Decorah; her parents, Karrol and Diane Gielow, Rushford, Minn.; aunts and uncles: Helen Kingsley, Rushford, Minn., Karen Roth, Houston, Minn., Jean Gielow, Money Creek, Minn., and Mavis Gielow, Winona, Minn.; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Imelda (Sutton Alberts) Nesteby and Emmett Nesteby, Lansing; brothers and sisters-in-law: Mike (Beth) Alberts, Albuquerque, N.M., Pat Alberts, Lansing, Dan Alberts, Decorah, Tim Alberts, Lansing, Gene (Suzanne) Alberts, Onalaska, Wis. and Becky Alberts, Decorah; three nephews and two nieces: Erick and Jared Alberts, Courtney and Jordyn Alberts and Nathan Alberts.

Debbie was preceded in death by her grandparents, Lena Erdmann, Elmer and Evelyn Gielow; aunts and uncles: Elton “Bud” Gielow, Dick Gielow and Arlene Orlikowski; her father-in-law, James Alberts.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all of their wonderful neighbors, friends and Deb’s clients that helped out these past few years.
They also are grateful for the care that she received from Dr. David Heine, Dr. Alcee Jumonville, Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, Winneshiek Medical Center and Winneshiek County Hospice. Her faith, stamina and determination have been an inspiration to all of us. We will all miss her beautiful smile!

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