Alberta Gilbert Van Buskirk, 90, of Redfield, SD, died Monday, July 9, 2012 at Golden Living Center in Redfield. Her funeral will be Monday, July 16, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Hitchcock, SD. Reverend Stephen Perry will officiate. Burial will be in Altoona Cemetery in Hitchcock. Visitation will be Sunday from 2-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Alberta was born near Beresford, SD on May 2, 1922 to Edward and Elizabeth (Breen) Frericks. As a young child, they moved to Hitchcock and later to Frankfort, SD where she graduated from high school, in 1940. On Nov. 8, 1945, she was united in marriage with Alan Gilbert. They farmed and owned Gilbert's Store in Hitchcock for 10 years. Later she worked in the laundry area of the James Valley Nursing Home. Alan died Feb. 26, 1985. In November of 1986 she married Joe Van Buskirk. They lived on a farm by Hitchcock and wintered in Mesa, AZ. After Joe passed away on June 5, 1996, Alberta moved to Redfield. She enjoyed apartment living before moving to Lakeside Assisted Living and finally to the Golden Living Center.

Alberta enjoyed dancing, gardening and playing cards .She was a long time member of the United Methodist Church in Hitchcock and more recently in Redfield. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Alberta is survived by one son Arden (Jeanne) Gilbert of Aberdeen; two daughters: Alana Hansen of Wilmot; Patricia Rondo of Eugene, OR; five grandchildren: Wendy (Rocky) Dailey, Holly (Jeffery Moore) Hansen, Alan Reiners, Daniel Reiners, Nicole (Steve) Barnett; five great-grandchildren: Jada and Jeffery Moore, Maggie and Jessie Dailey and Emma Barnett, three step-sons: Don Van Buskirk of Pierre; Merlin Van Buskirk of Hitchcock and Myron Van Buskirk of Sioux Falls. She is also survived by thirteen step grandchildren and several step great-grandchildren and a brother-in-law David Gilbert.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her brother Glendon Frericks, her sister Edrae Buchholz, a son-in-law Ed Rondo and a step daughter Joyce Baldwin.