Alberta Anna Hartzell, 97, of Janesville, WI, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, at The Golden Living Center in Fort Atkinson, WI. She was born in Seven Persons, Alberta, Canada, to Albert and Bessie Belle Speck Bellrichard. On May 28, 1928, Alberta married Lester A. Hartzell. He passed away on Jan. 3, 1966. After her husband's death, she moved from the farm on Vickerman Road outside of Milton, into Milton Junction. Alberta worked at Whitewater Electronics until her retirement in 1975. She moved to Janesville in 1976 to reside with her daughter, Vonnie (Chuck) De Zwarte, and their son, Jason. She lived with them until her health began to fail. She became a resident of The Golden Living Center 6 ½ years ago.
Alberta is lovingly survived by her sister, Juanita Gandy of Janesville, WI; four daughters: Vera Jean (Eugene) Wells of Jenkinsburg, GA, Vonnie (Chuck) De Zwarte, Mary Lou (James) Whitrock, both of Janesville, and Linda (Larry) Kufel of Allen, TX; three sons: Richard (Charlotte) of Edgerton, WI/Mesa, AZ, Donald (Joyce) of Rock Springs and Lester (Barbara) of Milton, WI; son-in-law, Harry Nill of West Warwick, RI; and sister-in-law, Emma Bellrichard of British Columbia, Canada. Her family also includes 26 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Alberta also leaves behind many friends, including those at The Golden Living Center, especially her roommate, Lucille Meier. Alberta was preceded in death by her husband; parents; grandparents; daughters, Lois Nill and Marlene Nill; an infant son, Roger; granddaughter, Lois Ann Klaus; and siblings: Earl, Charles, and Robert Bellrichard, Luella Casberg, Charlotte Nelson, and Gladys Hackbarth. Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008, at the WHITCOMB-LYNCH-ALBRECHT FUNERAL HOME, MILTON, with Pastor Rachel Powell presiding. Burial will take place in the Milton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until time of service Tuesday at the funeral home. Alberta's family would like to thank the staff at the Golden Living Center, Asera Hospice Care, especially Catherine, Dr. Donald Bates, and Fort Health Care for all of their thoughtful and loving care through her stay in Fort Atkinson. Memorials in her name will be established at a later date.
Mother and Grandmother, You have always been the heart and soul of our family, a family that has admired you, appreciated you and loved you. Life brings many changes, but nothing will ever undo the wonderful legacy of your love that goes on and on in each and every one of us. We'll miss you so much. (Published in the Janesville Gazette Monday December 29, 2008)