Alvin Dwayne Albertus

Alvin Dwayne Albertus

Coralville

Alvin Dwayne Albertus, 94, passed away at his home in Coralville on February 24, 2025. Alvin was the eldest son born July 17, 1930, on a farm near Ventura, Iowa, to Alvin Albert and Nina Faye (Schumacher) Albertus. The family moved to Mason City, Iowa, where Alvin and his three younger siblings were raised. Al’s childhood during the Depression was spent fishing with his family and enjoying time on his grandparents’ farm. Al was a member of the Boy Scouts and worked his way up to Eagle Scout, earning the highest award from the Scouts. He was a graduate of Mason City High School.

After earning an AA degree from Mason City Junior College, Al served in the U.S. Army from 1951-1953. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and master’s and Ph.D. in Educational Guidance and Counseling from the University of Iowa. He married Loraine June Holstad on July 18, 1954. Four children were born to this union: Susan Marie, Martin Lee, Patricia Lynne, and Stephanie Kay. The family enjoyed many camping trips together around the United States.

Al started his career as a teacher of History and Social Studies to junior high students in Monticello and Burlington, Iowa, respectively. Later, he worked briefly as an Educational Counselor at the Men’s Reformatory in Anamosa, Iowa, Counselor/Advisor for the Linn County School District in Cedar Rapids, and Director of Upward Bound at the University of Iowa. Al’s higher educational pursuits led him to become Assistant Dormitory Director for the University of Iowa, and Assistant Professor of Guidance and Counseling in the School of Education.

Al and his family relocated to Vermillion, South Dakota in 1977, where he accepted the position of Associate Professor in the University of South Dakota’s School of Education. Al’s passion was teaching graduate-level courses in Guidance and Counseling and offering adjunct courses in Human Relations to teachers in western Iowa. “Dr. Al” was revered by his many students.

Al was widowed in 1983. During a sabbatical to Iowa City in 1985, he met and subsequently married Karen Struthers Knowling on May 31, 1986. Al and Karen enjoyed their life together in Vermillion until his retirement in 1995, and they then moved to Coralville where they lived for almost thirty years.

For some time after his retirement, Al enjoyed working part-time at the University of Iowa Credit Union, as well as volunteering with Hospice and Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed volunteering in worship services at Zion Lutheran and especially loved singing with the senior choir. Before Al lost most of his sight, he was an avid reader. He and Karen enjoyed walking, and traveling throughout the U.S., United Kingdom, and Europe.

Al is survived by his loving wife, Karen, sister Naomi (Richard) Gossweiler, children Susan Albertus, Martin (Gloria) Albertus, Patricia (Dennis) Fogland, Stephanie (Garrett) Fuerniss, stepchildren Renee (Jeff) Menary, Jeff (Renu) Knowling, and Douglas (Jeanne O’Keefe) Knowling; grandchildren Ben (Sarah) Menary, Andrea Murrillo, Peter Sitzmann, Jorge (Diana) Murillo, Andrew Sitzmann, Hayley Olson (Andy) Young, Jessica (Jason) Parker, Tess Olson, Alyssa Knowling (Marcus Stabenow), Eric Knowling, Melinda Knowling (Teddy Van Winkle), Grace Fogland, Lili Fogland, Will Knowling, and Noah Fuerniss; great-grandchildren Baylor and Quinn Menary, Chorus Young, and Nicholas and Tiago Murillo; and several nieces and nephews.

Al was preceded in death by parents Alvin and Nina (Schumacher) Albertus, wife Loraine (Holstad) Albertus, brothers Roy Ed (Jeanette) Albertus, and Gary (Deanna) Albertus, grandparents, and various aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, or any charity of choice.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Nicholas Butler and his staff, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics who provided him with good health care during the past thirty years, Iowa City Hospice, Iowa Cremation, and all staff and friends at Zion Lutheran Church.