Alberta Mae Fishbaugher, age 93, of Preston, Minn., died peacefully Sunday, October 30, 2016 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Mary’s Campus, Rochester. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, November 4, 2016 at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony followed by burial in Big Spring Lutheran Cemetery, Harmony. Friends may call on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 5-7 p.m. at the Lindstrom Funeral Home in Harmony.
Alberta was born May 29, 1923 to Lester and Clara (Miller) Lange and grew up in the rural Harmony area known as Big Springs. She was baptized, confirmed and later married in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Big Springs) of which she was a life-long member. She served on numerous church committees during her life. Alberta attended a one-room school throughout her elementary grades and then was graduated from Harmony High School in 1941. She briefly attended secretarial school in Austin, Minn., until she returned to help on the home farm and assist with her brother’s recuperation from a severely injured foot.
On October 12, 1943 Alberta married Francis “Fuzz” Fishbaugher and they made their home on the farm west of Harmony. They were married for 36 years, and to this union two children were born, Tom and Genny. Alberta was a true farm wife and enjoyed the outdoors, helping with all the farm chores from milking cows to field work. Alberta took a lot of pride in operating a bridal salon for over 30 years. She had a passion for her garden and flower beds and could be found mowing and attending to the lawn when time permitted. Alberta spent a countless number of hours spending time with her mother, Clara Miller, when she was elderly. Alberta had a great affection for all animals, especially for her cats and dogs which were all known to her by name. She also enjoyed playing piano, her Hammond Organ, watching her favorite TV shows, reading, and scrapbooking.
Alberta is survived by her son, Tom, and daughter, Genny, both of Preston, Minn.; four grandchildren: Sandra (Kyle) Miller of Kewaskum, Wis.; Joe (Nichole) Fishbaugher of Brookings, S. Dak.; Keith Hanson of Spring Valley, Minn.; and Kyle Hanson of Cresco, Iowa; eight great-grandchildren: Drew, Paige, Mia, Jaden, Alex, Bryce, Tyler and Brady; and a niece, Carolyn Brunsvold Kuester of Kalamazoo, Mich. Alberta was preceded in death by her parents, husband Francis “Fuzz”, a brother, Emery and his wife, Eyvonne Lange; and a sister, Estelle Brunsvold.