Judith Alber

Judith L. Alber, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2023, at the age of 83, in Kent County, Michigan. She was born on October 17, 1940, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Melvin & Thyra Hutt (nee: Berggren). Judith's greatest joy was her family, whom she cherished with all her heart. She is survived by her loving children, Kathleen Ferguson and Curt (Ronda) Alber; her beloved grandchildren, Logan (Emma), Jade (Kaegan), Skylar (Desi), and Thyra (Alex); her deeply cherished great-granddaughter, Dana; and her dear cousin, Nancy Walters. Preceded in death by her parents; Melvin & Thyra Hutt and her stepmother, Elsie Hutt. Growing up, Judy enjoyed spending every weekend at the cottage that her father built on School Section Lake. After her father passed, she continued to vacation at the lake with her children, making more fond memories with the DuShane family relatives. Her most treasured memories were traveling with her kids and grandkids to Beaver Island, camping in the U.P., and sitting around the fire at a Torch Lake cottage. Judy began her professional career after high school as a secretary at Capital Financial Services for 18 years, and then 30 years at Duthler Ford Trucks until her retirement. She was very devoted to her work in office administration and to the Duthler employees. She was so grateful to have worked there, she said, because "they truly had a family." She made many life-long friends from school, the neighborhood, and the organizations she joined. She absolutely cherished her friendships and gatherings with them well into her 80's. She lived in the same home for 60 years and had many supportive and dear neighbors like the DiCesare, the Wilcox, the Hodge, the Haan, and the Stevens families. Fifty years ago, the Marv & Carol Fewless family became like family to her and her children. When her dear friend Carol passed, Judy became like a mom and grandmother to their large family and was blessed with their love and devotion. In addition to working full time and raising a family, she managed to spend countless hours volunteering. She was a member of the American Business Women's Association and, in 1990, was awarded Hopewell Chapter's Women of the Year. She also spent time volunteering at the Civic Theater sewing costumes. For 32 years, she devoted many hours volunteering for the National 24 Hour Challenge, making more dear friends like Kathy & Pete Steve, and in 2022, she was awarded Volunteer of the Year. Memorial services for Judith will take place on Friday, January 19th, 2024 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church (1253 52nd St SE, Kentwood, MI 49508). Visitation opens to the public at 10:00 AM, until the start of the service at 11:00 AM, then will conclude with an invitation to join the family at their luncheon held within the church. Judith's family kindly asks in lieu of flowers, to have all memorial contributions made to St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, to Michele's Rescue (https://michelesrescue.com), or to utilize the "plant a memorial tree" tribute in her honor. We encourage everyone who knew Judith to share their memories and upload photos to her memorial page. Your stories, pictures, and shared experiences will serve as a lasting tribute to her remarkable life. To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Judith's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Judith Alber, please visit our flower store.