Alberta C. Kalinowski

 Alberta Kalinowski, 89, of Lancaster , formerly of Mount Hope , passed away February 2, 2010, at Orchard Manor, Lancaster .

Services were at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Mount Hope Methodist Church , with the Rev. Mary Ann Floerke officiating. Burial was in Hermitage Cemetery , Mount Hope . Friends called from 3 to 8 P.M., Friday, February 5, 2010 at Martin Funeral Home, Bloomington and also after 10:00 A.M. February 6, 2010 at the church.

She was born on March 31, 1920 in Giltner , Nebraska , the only daughter of Elliot and Rose (Oliver) Casler. Alberta attended Mount Hope High School for 2 years before moving back to Giltner , NE where she graduated high school. She was married to Erwin Howland who was killed in WWII in 1943. They had one daughter, Ivanelle June (Howland) Rice. Her family moved back to the Casler Homestead near Mount Hope in 1938. She worked as a switchboard operator as well as a waitress. She married Roman (Kelly) Kalinowski on July 18, 1944. He preceded her in death on December 27, 1966.

Alberta was a lifelong homemaker using her many talents as a seamstress and quilter for friends and family. Through necessity, her gardening and canning became an acquired skill which she passed down to her children. She was an avid sports fan that involved her children and grandchildren. She was a member of the 14 Card Club of Mount Hope for many years. She looked forward each year to the annual family picnic and Christmas party.

She is survived by eight children, June Rice, of Platteville, Lois (LaVern) Bowen, of Lancaster, Pauline (Wayne) Clark, of Bagley, Karla (Dan) Meier, of Cross Plains, Joan (Jerry) Breuer, of Patch Grove, Loretta (Russ) Docken, of Verona, Michael (Carol) Kalinowski, of Bagley, James (Susan) Kalinowski, of Rosemount, MN.; 27 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 4 great great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Roman Kalinowski, a daughter, Rose Ann Witzel, son-in-law, Ron Rice.

She will be remembered as a devoted mother and a loving and kind grandma.

The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Stader and Orchard Manor nursing staff for the wonderful care given to our mother.