Gerald J. Albertz, age 82, of Mitchell, died Sunday, July 26, 2009 at Avera Brady Health and Rehab. Funeral services will be 10:30, Friday, July 31, 2009 at the Will Funeral Chapel. Visitation will be 6 to 8 PM Thursday evening at the Will Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Pukwana City Cemetery.

Gerald John Albertz Gerry, was born October 1st, 1926 to John Albertz and Christine Albertz (Andreas) in Mitchell, SD. He attended Mitchell Public Schools until the 8th grade when the family moved to Pukwana where he graduated from high school in 1944. Following high school Gerry was enlisted in the US Army. He attended basic training in Little Rock, AR where he then stayed as cadre for training as an engineer. Following his service he returned home to Pukwana and began a 38 year career with the Milwaukee Road Railroad. During his many years with the RR as a track laborer and Depot Agent he moved between many towns along the Milwaukee Road rail line in South Dakota before finally settling around Alexandria, SD in 1958.

After returning to South Dakota at the end of World War II, Gerry married Donna Jean Shauer. He had 3 sons, 1 daughter and an adopted son from this marriage. He later married Margaret Ann Louder of Mitchell which he was married to for 27 years. Gerry always enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing or just pulling weeds on the rural acreage near Lake Hanson. He was a member of the American Legion and also served on the Hanson County Wayne township board for many years.

He is survived by his loving family of one daughter Lila Albertz of Williston, ND, 2 sons, John (Rose) of Bridgeport, NE, Kelvin (Linda) of Alexandria, SD, and one daughter-in-law Susan of Mcgrew NE; 6 grandchildren: Lari Albertz of Minot, ND, Travis and Jessica Albertz, Bridgeport, NE, Kelsey, Taylor, and Jena Albertz of Alexandria,; and numerous step-children and step-grand-children.

Gerry was preceeded in death by his parents, an infant brother, one son Gerald Willie Albertz Jerry of Mcgrew, NE and both of his previous wives.