Rose Alberg

Rosella "Rose" (Davis) Alberg completed her life's journey and passed away on Sunday, May 24th at Brewster Place Assisted Living in Topeka, Kansas. She was 93 years old. Rose was born on December 6, 1926 near the town of Marshfield in Webster County, Missouri. Rose was the first of six children born to her parents, Ed and Edna (Buck) Davis.

When she was a young girl, Rose's family moved to Newton, Kansas, then on to Topeka, Kansas where she attended Roosevelt Junior High and graduated from Topeka High School in 1945. Rose was a first generation college student at the College of Emporia (C of E) in Emporia, Kansas. During her time at C of E, Rose met her future husband, Wiley Alberg, and they were united in marriage on June 6, 1948 in Topeka, Kansas. During the early years of their lives as a married couple, Rose and Wiley lived in Scranton, Kansas where they both taught school. Soon after their daughter, Susan, was born, they moved to Topeka where their son, Sam, would complete their family.

In 1966, Emporia would again become Rose's home when Wiley accepted a position at Emporia State University. Upon relocating to Emporia, Rose's life-long passion for reading would lead her to a 25-year career as a library para-professional for the public school system. Rose was blessed with a resilient, persistent, and independent nature. These personality traits would prove vital when the challenges of facing acute vision loss not only impeded her self-reliance, but also threatened to diminish critical skills, which were necessary to continue her library work. Undaunted, Rose secured low-vision resources, trained herself to use them, and with support of colleagues and family she was able to continue to find joy and satisfaction in serving the students of Walnut and Village Elementary Schools. Rose's mindset to never give up, and her ability to overcome difficulties without complaint is a testament to her intrinsic fortitude and perseverance.

Retirement found Rose and Wiley back in Topeka where they enjoyed the simple pleasures of life, spending time with friends and family. They loved and respected one another, celebrating fifty-one years of marriage prior to Wiley's death in 1999. After Wiley died, Rose managed her own household for 16 years before moving to Brewster Place Retirement Community in the spring of 2015.

Membership and participation in the Lutheran church was an important aspect of Rose's life from childhood until her death. When living in Emporia she was an active member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and in 1994 she became a member of 1st Lutheran Church in Topeka. Rose was thankful and humbled to be the recipient of many prayers and compassionate care received from church members and Pastor Jenny Jackson. The family is also extremely grateful.

Our family also extends our thanks to Rose's caregivers at Brewster Place Assisted Living and Elara Caring Hospice for their kindness and compassion, consistent desire to put in extra effort in caring for Rose, and willingness to include Rose's children in each decision as it related to providing her the best possible care.

Rose was a woman who loved her family fiercely. Her unconditional support for those she loved was typically shown by a specific action which she chose that would provide a strong emotional or educational foundation for her children and grandchildren. Through these actions, Rose modeled important values that will continue to guide her family members through their lives. Although she will be greatly missed, Rose Alberg's legacy of respect, love, and determination will continue to live in the hearts and minds of all who loved her.

Survivors include a daughter, Susan Linn Alberg Affolter (Bill Riggins) of Topeka; son, Samuel Wiley Alberg (Paige Howard) of Wichita, KS; favorite grandson, Joshua Michael Alberg (Shannon) of Viola, KS; favorite granddaughter, Kajsa Elizabeth Affolter (Michael O'Toole) of Salt Lake City, UT; great-granddaughters, Lydia O'Toole, Rose O'Toole, Annika O'Toole, Avary Alberg, and Aubrey Alberg and sisters, Ann Cochran, Delia Stockwell, and Nancy Truster. She was preceded in death by parents; husband; sister, Maxine Wimmer and brother, Eddie Keet Davis.

The family suggests charitable contributions in Rose's name to: Emporia State University Wiley and Rose Alberg Scholarship Endowed Scholarship 1500 Highland Street Emporia, KS, 66801
(to donate directly online, please copy and paste the link below to get to the page)

https://hornetnation.emporia.edu/donate?fid=s6LiU1MXoLY%3d&fdesc=tOZyUt6XZD9t1kQ%2f%2fNFtG%2bN4L5bEOn2M2RrzdHjF7fSrfq1O14mcFA%3d%3d

or to Elara Caring Hospice of Topeka, 901 N.E. River Road Topeka, KS, 66616.

A private graveside service will take place at the Scranton Cemetery in Scranton, Kansas.

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