Thomas E. Alberts, 61 of Avon

Funeral services are scheduled for 10 am Monday, July 27, 2009 at St. John Lutheran Church in Tyndall with Pastors Dean Schroeder and Donald McKillop officiating. Burial will be in the Canistota Cemetery at Canistota, SD. Visitation will be at the church in Tyndall from 1 pm to 3 pm Sunday. Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home of Avon is in charge of the arrangements.

Thomas Edwin Alberts, son of Russell and Mary Catherine (Gross) Alberts, was born January 28, 1948 at McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. He died Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Tom attained the age of 61 years, five months and 25 days.

Tom attended St. Ann's Parochial School in Humboldt and country school in Marion. His high school years were spent with his first three years at Monroe High School and then graduating from Canistota High School. Tom went to USD in Vermillion where he earned his accounting degree from the Business School in 1970 and then earned his law degree from Law School in 1973.

Tom married Donna McKillop on July 5, 1973 in Sioux Falls. A son, Jason was blessed to their union.
Tom joined John Engel in law practice in 1973 in Avon, SD. He practiced alongside John Engel for several years and then eventually the business became known as Alberts Law Office. Tom was a member of the South Dakota State Bar Association.

Tom was an avid gardener and had a love of the land. He enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters and family. Tom was devoted to his wife and family and dedicated to his life long profession and his clients. He was proud to be an attorney and was thankful for the many relationships he formed with his clients and colleagues.

Thankful for having shared his life are his wife Donna, Yankton SD; son and daughter in law, Thomas J. (Jason) and Renee (Buskness) Alberts of Tyndall, SD;  5 grandchildren; Jenae Mary and Reyna Breanne Alberts, KyLee, Vanessa and Ami;  two brothers: Ronald and Mary Alberts of Parkston, SD and Dennis and Georgia Alberts of Pine Haven, WY; a sister: Brenda (Steve) Major, Omaha, NE;  a step brother Tom Scott and a step sister Sue Johnson; three sisters-in-law: Shirley (Curt) Wieman, Rapid City, SD, Mary (Rich) DePrizio, San Diego, CA, and Rhonda (Dean) Langrock, Marion, SD; two brothers-in-law: Pastor Donald (Chuck) McKillop, Winner, SD and James (Dona) McKillop, Sioux City, IA; two Aunts: Caroline Gross of Parker, SD and Janet Kurvink of Sioux Falls, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; an Uncle Rolland Gross and an Aunt Lola Bathke.

Casket bearers are: James McKillop- brother in law; Gene Gross- cousin; Gary Skogen- friend; Tim Whalen- friend; Curt Wieman- brother in law; Michael Williams- friend.

Honarary casket bearers: Tom's 5 special granddaughters, B-Y water district board of directors and all of Tom's past and present clients.