Alberta Klein

Alberta “Birdie” May Klein, 71, Bismarck, passed from earth into Heaven, at St. Vincent’s Care Center, Bismarck, on November 5, 2009. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, with Rev. Paul Becker as celebrant. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Following burial, the family invites you to join them at the church for fellowship and lunch. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. at St. Vincent’s Care Center and Monday from 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a rosary/vigil service will be held Monday night at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, one hour prior to the service at the church. Alberta was born May 30, 1938, in Elbowoods, ND. She was the first of eight children born to Albert and Linda Weidner Keller. She graduated from Dodge High School in 1956 where she was the class valedictorian, and received a scholarship to attend Jamestown College. After receiving her degree, she worked at Q&R Clinic in Bismarck. On February 29, 1960, Alberta married Leo Klein Jr., in St. Martin’s Church, rural Dodge, ND. They first lived in Bismarck, and then in 1961, following her husband’s highway construction career, Alberta and her family moved to various locations in North Dakota, including Fargo where she worked at KFGO radio, until finally settling back in Bismarck in 1973 to raise their family. In 1978, Leo and Alberta started their own business called Big Valley Gravel. Later their sons became partners in the business that later became Pioneer Construction. As a young girl, Alberta loved to ride horses. Throughout her life she sang and played musical instruments including the accordion and piano. Among her favorite hobbies, she loved to shop for antiques. She also enjoyed ceramics and other crafts. She liked taking long drives and trips with her family. Alberta was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her love was infectious and her captivating smile could light up a room. Alberta was a selfless person. She lived through many personal trials, but she placed other people’s concerns before her own. Alberta is survived by her husband, Leo Klein Jr.; four sons, James, Marc, Thomas Rhea, and William Yvonne, all of Bismarck; twelve grandchildren and step-grandchildren; her sisters, Judy Erker, Beulah, and Rachel Steven Horning, Zap; and her brothers, Larry Keller, Dodge, Ralph Cathy Keller, Austin, TX, and William Keller, New Salem. She will be welcomed into Heaven by her daughter, Teresa; her parents; her brother, David; and her sister, Linda “Tootsie” Walsh. Flowers are welcome, but any memorials received will be used for the Alberta and Teresa Klein Memorial Foundation.

Alberta Klein

May 30, 1938 - November 5, 2009