"Oh how our hearts are hurting.... where do we even begin to say how much Mary\'s friendship meant to us. It started 50 years ago when we met and our love for you both will last forever. Mary always said such kind and encouraging words to us and so much laughter! I always loved to sit back and listen, laugh and thoroughly enjoy the fun exchanges between Mary and Don. What precious memories. We cherish every moment we got to spend in her light. Thank you, Mary, for the blessing of your love. Love you forever, Kay & Don Sheehan "
In loving memory of
Mary Michaela Kaiser Albrecht
September 16, 1952 - September 26, 2020
Fiercely loved.
Mary Michaela Kaiser Albrecht joined the earthly world September 16, 1952, in Rapid City, South Dakota and departed peacefully to Heaven September 26, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. She was the second of five rowdy children to Edward and Ethel Kaiser. While the other four gave their parents grief in one form or another, Mary was on her best behavior always. She loved to share stories of her younger brother Mike as a toddler terrorizing the rest of the siblings by chasing them around the house brandishing a knife, or her sister Kim as a rebelious teenager continuing to talk on a dead phone line after the cord had been ripped out of the wall by their father.
Mary was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was happiest when surrounded by those she loved, of which there were so many. She married Gene Allen Albrecht on November 6, 1970 despite him setting his car on fire on their first date. They shared 50 years of marriage together and had two wonderful children. Hardly closer a relationship can be imagined between a parent and child than Mary shared with each of her children. She found a way to capture their individual strengths and weaknesses, embrace and embolden them, and encourage with unyielding love and support. While so much time was dedicated to raising such fantastic children, Mary also worked as a telephone operator, a florist, and had a long career as a retail merchandiser. In addition, Mary was an avid volunteer. So sensitive of the needs of others, she spent many years helping people as they or their loved ones battled cancer. She also relished her role at St. Rose as the baptism coordinator where she got to welcome the sweet little babies into a life with Christ. She felt so blessed in her own life and had a strong desire to give back and share her love with the world. She was truly beloved by everyone she encountered, always leaving them with a positive thought, a smile, a laugh.
Mary is survived by her husband Gene Albrecht, her children Christopher Albrecht, Stacey Salm and her husband Dane Salm; her grandchildren Jaime, Brennon, Jacob and Charlie; her brother Ed and his wife Arlys, her brother Dan and his wife Tracy; and countless friends. She was predeceased by her parents, sister Kim Charron and her brother Michael Kaiser.
A visitation will be offered this Thursday evening, October 1st from 6-8pm at Hansen Mortuary off 7th & Northern. A funeral mass will be held for Mary at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic Parish at 10am this Friday, October 2. Interment will immediately follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery.
For loved ones afar, this link will allow you to virtually attend the funeral mass in real time: http://www.stroseanthem.com. Click on "Watch Mass" at 10am MST on Friday.
In lieu of flowers, Mary's family is asking for donations made in Mary's honor to the Alzheimer's Association. A tribute page has been set up and can be accessed through this link: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pg=fund&fr_id=1060&pxfid=654529
If we could all just be a fraction as generous and loving as Mary, the world would be a better place. The outpouring of love and grief already has been overwhelming and a testament to a life well lived.
Tributes
"Cheers to the woman that came and watched our family when our parents were on vacation. Cheers to the woman you always knew would be in your corner to love and support you. Cheers to the woman that didn?t see the world in black and white. Cheers to one of the most compassionate and understanding people I?ve ever met. Cheers to the fact you can?t pick your family, and I was lucky enough to end up with you. Thank you for everything Aunt Mary. Your memory will be carried along in my day to day life and actions. Always striving to think less of myself and what I need. And finding what I truly need through the service to others. Rest easily aunt Mary. Tell aunt Kim and my dad hello. Till we meet again. "
"? If we could all just be a fraction as generous and loving as Mary, the world would be a better place.? this could not be more true. Aunt Mary was always so loving and supportive and some of my favorite memories include her. I remember the days where my dad, her brother, and her would talk on the phone for hours about their lives and their children and I always loved the friendship they shared. Their friendship has something I have always aspired to have with my own siblings. Aunt Mary will truly be missed. I thank God that He gave me such a wonderful Aunt to love and learn from. Rest In Peace, Aunt Mary. I love and miss you so much. "