Alberta Gallagher

ALBERTA GALLAGHER

Cedar Rapids

Alberta L. Gallagher, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, at Northbrook Manor Care Center following a lingering illness. Services: 9 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick

Catholic Church, by the Rev. Ivan Nienhaus. Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 1 to 6 p.m., with a time of remembrance and sharing at 2 p.m., on Sunday at Teahen Funeral Home and after 8:30 a.m. Monday at the church.

Alberta is survived by her two daughters, Nancy (Bob) Wojcinski of Downers Grove, Ill., and Debbie (Craig) Mrkvicka of Cedar Rapids; two grandchildren, Tom (Nicole) of Wauwatosa, Wis., and Jeff (Amber) of Chicago; and two great-grandchildren, Madelyn and Penelope.

She was preceded in death by her husband,

Thomas; and her sister, Ruth Mizner.

Alberta Leona was born Dec. 23, 1922, in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1941. During the war, Alberta's job was a clerk with Western Union. In order to keep up with the fast pace, she completed her duties on roller skates! She married Thomas on Oct. 29, 1947, in Cedar Rapids.

Alberta enjoyed her time spent with her classmates from the Roosevelt High School graduating class of 1941. She will be remembered as a kind-hearted, loving and genuine woman. She loved people, but most of all enjoyed being able to entertain them through her storytelling, piano playing, singing and dancing skills. Entertaining came quite natural to Alberta. She had open arms for any person she encountered and was known to be a mom to all. She opened her heart to everyone and put smiles on the faces of everyone she knew.

Alberta had a unique compassion and love for people that will be missed dearly. Her family feels truly blessed that they were given such an amazing and wonderful role model to lead their lives.

Memorials may be directed to The Salvation Army, 1000 C Ave. NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405.

Online condolences may be left at www.teahen

funeralhome.com.