Alberta Katherine Dusing (nee Wieand), 96, died April 15 at Beacon Hill Retirement Community in Lombard, Illinois. A resident of Glen Ellyn for 50 years, she was married for 71 years to the late Kenneth Dusing. An effervescent spirit, she is remembered for always seeing life as full of possibilities. She was known for her story telling, spunk, love of art, theater, travel and remembering the colors and decoration of any place she had been and what everyone had been wearing. She jumped at the last-minute chance to sail, by herself, to England on a freighter that was part of the shipping company her husband worked for to see Queen Elizabeth's Coronation procession in 1953. When she accompanied her husband on a business trip to Japan in 1969 and it was suggested that she stay in the hotel while the businessmen went out, as was the custom, she asked to be included in the evening's outing, and was then invited to go along to the tea house where she was entertained by her own personal geisha-in-training.

A long time member of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, she volunteered at the church, supported the Infant Welfare Society, tutored students from Cabrini Green through Fourth Presbyterian Church, and belonged to one of the first women's investment clubs. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, May 27 at the York Center Church of the Brethren, Lombard IL. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Manchester College, Office of College Advancement, North Manchester, IN 46962, Harbor Light Hospice, Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60137, or Bethany Theological Seminary, A. C. and David J. Wieand Chair in Biblical Studies, 615 National Road West, Richmond, Indiana 47374 would be appreciated.

Published in Central DuPage News/Leader/Post/Press on May 22, 2012.