Betty Lou Alberts, 78, Grand Forks, North Dakota, was reunited in heaven with her husband, Earl, on Friday, October 22,2010. She spent her last hours being loved and comforted by family and the Prairiewood staff at 4000 Valley Square.

Betty Lou Alberts was born to Otto and Hattie (Douma) De Jong on August 24, 1932 in Cames, Iowa. Growing up in a town with less than 20 people, Betty Lou spent her summers gathering milkweed pods with her Mom which would be sent off to make parachutes as part of the war effort. She received her early education in the Orange City, Iowa area. She graduated from Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa with a degree in teaching. In later years, Betty Lou also attended Moorhead State University where she majored in social work.

Betty Lou met her future husband, Earl, while she was a teacher in a one room school house in Holland, MN. Betty Lou and Earl D. Alberts were joined in marriage on April 23, 1954 in Pipestone, Minnesota and farmed outside of Holland early in their marriage.

They left farming so that Earl could continue his education. While Earl attended school, Betty Lou worked at various sales and receptionist jobs. While living in Boulder, Colorado, Betty Lou was a model for Montgomery Wards. After Boulder, they settled in Grand Forks in 1966 where Betty Lou volunteered for many years at J. Nelson Kelly School in the office and library.

In January of 1973, Betty Lou received her REAL TORS license and was licensed for the next 30 years. Betty Lou was first associated with Severson Real Estate and Belmont Gallery of Homes Real Estate and later in her career with Greenberg Realty, Crary Homes and Real Estate and Park Company Real Estate in Fargo. In 1978 she was the Grand Forks REALTOR of the year and the first female REALTOR of the year for the state of North Dakota. Over the years, Betty Lou served on many local, state and national committees and boards with the express goal of bettering the Real Estate profession. She attained the status of GRl and CRS in real estate. She helped in increasing decent and affordable housing in the area. Betty Lou helped organize and create the ND RP AC Trustees and also the fundraising committee. She was also a past president of the Grand Forks Board of REALTORS.

Betty Lou was a long time member of Zion United Methodist Church in Grand Forks where she also taught Sunday school. She loved spending time with family and friends and always had a kind word and smile for / anyone who needed one. She also loved fishing, playing cards, shaking dice, decorating houses, spending time at the lake, loving her family and holding hands with her husband.

Betty Lou is survived by her children, Terry (Sandy) Alberts, Junction City, OR. Geri Alberts, Grand Forks and Brad (Loree) Alberts, Grand Forks; grandchildren, Tanner and Lexi; step-grandchildren, Travis, Trent and Holly; and seven great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl; parents Otto and Hattie; brothers Gerald and Thomas; sisters Esther and Ethel.