COLBY, Albert K. 1877-1954

COLBY, WOODLEY, NASH, BALL, NICKERSON, WARDWELL, MCCORMICK, MARTIN

Posted By: K. Kittleson
Date: 5/14/2008 at 14:36:04

Funeral services for Albert K. Colby, 76, who passed away on Tuesday morning, Mar. 2, at his home at 321 Fifth avenue, N.W. after a lingering illness, were conducted Thursday afternoon, Mar. 4, at the Methodist church.

The Rev. W. Erie Shields, pastor of the church, officiated. "Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me" and "The Lord's Prayer" were sung by Harold Roach, accompanied by Mrs. Harry Sanborn. Members of the Social Lodge No. 48, A.F. and A.M. of Northfield, conducted Masonic rites at the cemetery, assisted by members of the Faribault Lodge No. 9, A.F. and A.M. Burial took place in Meadow Ridge Memorial Park, with the following friends as pallbearers: Gus Grunnert, Chris Gravstedt, Roy Peterson of Northfield, Walter Thielbar of Dundas, Gus Reineke and Clifford Hasner of Faribault.

A number of barbers attended the funeral in a body. Other relatives and friends from a distance who attended the final rites for the veteran barber were Milburn Colby of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Gerlach ad Robert C. Colby of St. Cloud, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Colby of Mankato, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Festler and Miss Marie Nystuen of Northfield; Joseph Woodley of St. Paul, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Nash and Edson Nash of Clayton, Wis., Arthur Gerlach, Eugene Gerlach, Mrs. John Ball, Mrs. Harold Nickerson, all of St. Ansgar, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Orin Wardwell of Northwood, Iowa, Mrs. Donald McCormick of Appleton, Wis., Mrs. Marie Martin of Minneapolis, and a number of friends from Northfield, Owatonna, and Morristown.

Mr. Colby was born on Nov. 30, 1877, at Austin, the son of Knute and Mary Colby. He attended the public schools at Austin, and moved with his family to Lyle, Minn., and later to Charles City, Iowa.

He was married to Charlotte E. Woodley on June 12, 1900, at Otranto, Iowa. They lived at Charles City, and St. Ansgar, Iowa, after which they moved to Northfield, where they resided for many years.

Mr. Colby had been a barber for over 50 years, having been active in that work in Charles City and St. Ansgar. He operated a barber shop in Northfield for many years. Following his retirement in 1946, he moved to Faribault, where he has resided since.

He was a member of the Methodist church and sang in the Methodist choir at St. Ansgar and Northfield, where he was active in P.T.A. work. He belonged to the Social Lodge No. 48, A.F. and A.M. the Royal Arch Masons, and the Northfield Council No. 12.

Survivors are his wife, Charlotte; four daughters: Mrs. Roy Gerlach (Margaret) of St. Cloud, Mrs. Marvin Festler (Josephine) of Northfield, Mrs. Howard Davis (Dellene) and Mrs. Gordon Reineke (Dorothy) of Faribault; three sons: Milburn W. of Chicago, Donald A. of Mankato, and Robert C. of St. Cloud. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. A sister, Mathilda Colby; and two brothers: Henry and Hans Colby, preceded him in death.

Faribault Daily News, Mar 8, 1954