Walter Gustave Albrecht, 97, of Thurston, NE, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE. Funeral services will be Tuesday, April 7 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emerson; Pastor Gretchen Ritola is officiating and Vicar William Storm. Visitation will be Monday, April 6 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emerson from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Family will be present from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Emerson, NE. Walter was born on February 23, 1918 on a farm near Foster in Pierce County, NE to George and Rose (Pates) Albrecht. The family then moved to a farm near Orchard, NE and at six years of age in 1924 they moved back near family to farm in rural Thurston County, a quarter of a mile away from the farm that Walter and Violet lived on for the rest their lives. He was baptized by an Evangelical Lutheran minister on April 14, 1918. He was confirmed on Palm Sunday, April 13, 1930 at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emerson by Pastor Hugo Welchert. He attended Sunny Side District 24 public school through 8th grade and later attended the University of Nebraska Ag College at Lincoln for two winter terms. He began his lifelong career of farming and livestock raising with his father and two brothers. Walter also did some trucking. On June 24, 1942 Walter was united in marriage to Violet Joy Gutzmann at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emerson, NE. They purchased a farm next to his parents. Six children were born to this family. As the family grew over the years so did the farm. He continued to remain actively involved in farming and raising livestock until his death. He held many positions of responsibility during his lifetime. Besides being a devoted husband and father, he was a lifelong member and former councilman and treasurer of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Walther also served on several church committees, several terms including president of the Emerson-Hubbard School Board; a member of the Pender Hospital Board, the Emerson Rural Fire Board for 27 years, the Thurston and later Thurston/Dakota County Fair Board. He served several terms as an officer of the Merry Township board, and he was a former master of his Masonic Lodge and held the 32 degree. He served on the County ASC board, and was honored for being a member of the Thurston County Farm Bureau for the longest time. He is survived by his wife of 72 years Violet; and their six children: Judy Ann (Herb) Barelman of Bellevue, NE, Walter Richard Albrecht of Ainsworth and Emerson, NE, Robert William (Connie) Albrecht, Dr. James Loren (Kathy) Albrecht of Emerson, and Michael David (Joni) Albrecht of Thurston, NE, and Terry Lee (Julie) Albrecht of Thurston, NE; 17 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, two step grandchildren and four step great grandchildren, sister-in-laws, Bonnie Dahms, Irene Albrecht, Joanne Albrecht, Lavone Gutzmann; and brother-in-law Leonard Gutzmann, many cousins, nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter-in-law Mary (Mike) Albrecht, grandson Aaron Albrecht (Terry and Julie) and great grandson Francis Albrecht (Tristan and Kara), brothers George Albrecht, Lester Albrecht, sister and brother-in laws, William and Elaine Gutzmann, Lewis and Eleanor Gutzmann, Donna Lou Gutzmann, Leslie Earl Gutzmann, and Wayne Dahms.