Greta M. ALBERTS

ALBERTS, Greta Marian - age 89, formerly of Flint, passed away on January 10, 2013 at Health Source Saginaw, where she had been a resident since suffering a stroke ten years ago. A private family gathering will take place at a later date. Greta's family suggests that any donations in her memory be made to the Flint Public Library, 1026 E. Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48502 or Health Source Saginaw Activities Department, 3340 Hospital Rd, Saginaw, MI 48603. Greta was born in Flint, Michigan on March 11, 1923 to Francis and Lillian Pringle, who immigrated to the United States from England. At Flint Central High School, Greta was a member of the choir, and continued singing thereafter in Flint's First Presbyterian Church choir. Upon graduating from Flint Central in 1941, she attended Baker Business University. She met Daniel Alberts while working as a secretary at produce distributor Central Wholesale. They were married in 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana, just a few days before he shipped out to serve with the U.S. Coast Guard in the Philippines during World War II. Like many other Flint-area women at the time, Greta worked for Buick and became actively involved with the local IBG business women's chapter. After the war, Dan and Greta remained in Flint to raise their three children. Greta returned to work in the early '60s and spent over 20 years with the Swartz Creek School District, ultimately serving as secretary to the superintendent. With her outgoing personality and enthusiasm, she was a true friend and confidante to all administrative staff, teachers, and employees. Greta's zeal for music never wavered. She was just as comfortable singing a Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, or Michael Bolton hit as she was with a Broadway number or church hymn. She knitted at a record pace, her skills honed by many hours on her IBM Selectric typewriter. She was also a voracious reader, often completing three or four books a week. Greta is survived by her children; Martha (Charles) Gilkey of Auburn, MI, Laurie (David) Lee of Corral de Tierra, CA, and Lawrence (Mary) Alberts of Eden Prairie, MN; a brother, Frank (Vivian) Pringle of Frankenmuth, MI; and numerous nieces and nephews. She had special love and pride for her grandchildren, Cari, Jared, Stefanie, Emily, and Reid; and her great-grandchildren, Tommy and Weston. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dan in 1987. Online tributes may be shared on the obituaries page of www.sharpfuneralhomes.com