Elaine Ruth (Lee) Albrecht
Elaine Ruth (Lee) Albrecht, age 94, passed away peacefully in her apartment at Maplewood Village in Sauk City on Tuesday, Apr. 4, 2023. She was the youngest of 7 children born to Charles and Marie (Habitski) Heber. Lee had many happy memories growing up in Fond du Lac, WI. She walked to St. Mary’s grade school with her friends, shared one bedroom and one bike with her 6 sisters, and had the opportunity to sing a solo in the community band shelter and on air at the local radio station. Lee moved to Madison in 1943 to live with her brother Leonard and his family after the death of her beloved Mother. She graduated from West High School in Madison and began her long career in communications by working the switchboard at the telephone company. She also worked at Manchester’s Department Store on the Capitol Square managing the “teen colony” clothing department. Lee met the love of her life, Norbert J. Albrecht, in Madison where he was a handsome singing bartender and pianist attending the UW to take a short course in Agriculture. They married on 9/16/1950. Norb and Lee enjoyed ballroom dancing and later square dancing. They loved camping, first in a tent with their children, and later in a tent camper, travel trailer and finally a motor home. Norb and Lee enjoyed taking their motor home on trips throughout the US with their two Good Sam Clubs. After retirement they became snow birds, spending their winters living in their motor home in Arizona.
Lee was a homemaker until she started working after her youngest child started school. She worked first at Telephone Answering Service and then at UW Telecommunications where she retired after over 30 years of service. Lee was known for her outgoing personality and often took leadership roles in the many organizations she belonged to. In addition to working and raising a family, Lee had an interest in fashion and home decorating. She rearranged her furniture constantly and kept her husband busy remodeling and building custom furniture. Lee was famous for her desserts, especially apple pie, and would only share her cooking secrets with a select few. Her family enjoyed great food at the large holiday dinners she hosted. Lee loved knitting and crochet. Her family was gifted with many afghans, gloves, hats, scarves, and later baby blankets and sweaters for her many grandchildren.
Lee was very proud of her 6 children; Cynthia, Kevin (Ruth) Albrecht, Jeffrey (Janet Johnson) Albrecht, Jerry (Katie) Albrecht, Bruce (Sanae) Albrecht, Tenley (Bart) Wolf. She loved children and enjoyed being grandma to 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, all of whom she cherished. She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law, Anita Dunston, sister-in-law Joyce Albrecht, and many nieces and nephews. Lee was surrounded by love throughout her life and continued to make new friends as old ones departed. She will be greatly missed by many.
In addition to her parents and husband, Lee was preceded in death by her siblings Leonard, Eleanor, Evelyn, Dorothy, Elizabeth, and Jeanette, their spouses, her husband’s brothers Edward and Alfred, and many dear friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Elaine will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, Apr. 12, 2023 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 115 Madison St., Sauk City. A visitation will be held in the south lobby of the church one hour prior to Mass. Internment will be held in the church cemetery.
Elaine’s family would like to acknowledge the caregivers and staff at Maplewood Village for their help and excellent care. Mom loved many of you, thank you for making her last years good ones.
Online condolences may be made at hooversonfuneralhomes.com
