Herman J. Albers (1876-1946)

ALBERS

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 12/8/2008 at 18:45:10

Father Albers 1876-1946
Pastor in Avoca 25 Years

Rev. Herman J. Albers, pastor of St. Mary’s church in Avoca for 25 years before going to Harlan in 1934, died at St. Joseph’s hospital in Omaha early Friday morning.

Father Albers was laid to rest Monday in the community in which he spent his early life at Earling.

The Reverend Father Albers had many friends in Avoca among not only his parishioners but with people of all creeds. In his younger days, he greatly enjoyed hunting and was an expert shot.

Father Albers was 69 years of age when he died. He was born January 21, 1876 in Hanover, Germany. He was ordained to the priesthood at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 10, 1902, 43 years ago.

He attended St. Benedicts at Atchison, Kansas from 1892-7 then went to St. Ambrose, Davenport from 1897 to 99. He attended the seminary at Mount St. Mary Cincinnati, Ohio form 1899 to 1902.

Father Albers served as assistant at St. Joseph’s, Davenport in 1902. In 1903, he was pastor at St. Mary’s, Iowa. In 1904, he was pastor at St. Joseph, Winterset and then in 1906 at St. Mary’s at Keokuk. In 1907, he served at Holy Trinity, Richmond, Iowa and then in 1909 went to St. Mary’s Avoca where he served 25 years.

Father Albers went to Harlan in 1934 serving in Harlan 11 years.

He is survived by three brothers: Henry of Omaha and Ulrich and Nichols of Earling. Father Albers spent his early youth around Earling where he was laid to rest.

Requiem high mass was said for the Reverend Father Albers at 10:30 Monday morning at St. Michaels’ Catholic Church in Harlan. Many of Father Albers former parishioners and friends from Avoca attended.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald