Alberta Charlotte Daily, age 95, passed away on August 24, 2022, at home in Bendena, KS.
Alberta was born in Lemay Township in St. Louis, MO on February 1, 1927, to Albert Roman Birkenmeier and Mayda Evelyn (Thurman) Birkenmeier, the oldest of seven children. She attended Notre Dame High School in Lemay, MO and earned her GED in her 40s.
Alberta is survived by her husband, the love of her life, John Edward Daily, of the home in Bendena, children: Janie (David) Bennett – Bendena, KS; Char Cox – Raymore, MO; Deborah (Thom) Buttner – Jacksonville, FL; Linda House + Bob Miller – Lenexa, KS; son-in-law Mike Orf – Greenwood, MO; daughter-in-law Grace House – San Diego, CA; Ron (Marilyn) Birkenmeier – Lake St. Louis, MO; and a sister, MaryLou Zimmerman - Aguanga, CA. Alberta was delighted to have 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
Alberta was preceded in death by her son, Jess House, and daughter, Evelyn Orf, granddaughter Dina, two great-great grandsons, Derrick and Zero, and by her siblings – Albert Birkenmeier, Jr. (Dude), Robert Birkenmeier (Sonny), Louise Niehaus, Barbara Collins, Dorothy Kampke, and Evelyn Rozycki.
Alberta weighed only 2½ pounds at birth, so her grandmother put her on a goosefeather pillow on the oven door to keep her warm all night. As a young child, she enjoyed games like dead end street ball, statues, tag, hide and seek, and skating in her shoes on the farm pond at the end of the street. Her grandma, who lived across the street, taught her to iron handkerchiefs.
During Alberta’s long working career, she held various jobs in the community. These included waitressing at the Busy Bee Candy Shop, working at Bemis Bag Factory, a sewing factory, and cleaned house for friends. She also worked at the American Legion Bowling Alley in Wentzville, MO and at Continental Telephone's corporate office in Ladue, MO. After retirement, she worked at Walmart in Wentzville for 13 years.
Alberta was a great bowler and entered several tournaments; she loved gardening, preserving food, cooking wonderful meals for her family and friends, sewing and handiwork, and especially playing Mexican Rummy. At the age of 91, she could beat the pants off most players! Alberta also loved buffalos; her email address was Buffalo Gal! In her younger days, she enjoyed traveling with John across the United States, visiting nearly every state, including Alaska.
Alberta loved her children and extended family unconditionally, and she could often be found on the floor playing games with grand kids or taking them on trips to the St. Louis Zoo, Planetarium, or Busch Gardens. She loved dressing up in a clown costume on Halloween to surprise and trick her friends and family. Alberta spoiled her offspring with unconditional love and attention, lots of great food, and helped them out financially when she could; many lived with her when they needed a home.
Always a woman of strength, at the age of 82, Alberta left her home of 66 years outside of Wentzville and moved to Bendena with John to start a new adventure. During these past years, she enjoyed growing flowers, reading, going to movies, using Facebook and email, and loving and being with Johnny and her children and extended family. She will always be remembered for her kind and gentle ways, her witty, cute sense of humor, her positive outlook on life, her sweet smile and easy laughter, delicious cooking and most importantly, the all-encompassing love she gave to her husband, children, and extended family.
Alberta was beloved by all who knew her and will forever be missed and held closely within the hearts of those who love her.
A mass, Celebration of Life, and inurnment at Alderson Cemetery in Atchison County, KS will be held at a later date.
