Alberta "Boots" Pieper

Alberta “Boots” Pieper, age 89, of Clara City, Minnesota passed away Monday, August 26, 2024 at Clara City Care Center. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clara City with interment following in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, August 30, 2024 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church and will continue one hour prior to the service. 

Alberta Leona Pieper was born February 1, 1935 to Albert and Minnie (Hesse) Brandt in Denver, Iowa. She grew up in Denver and was baptized on March 3, 1935 and confirmed on April 13, 1949 both at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Denver. Alberta attended school in Denver and graduated from high school in 1952. She furthered her education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor’s of Music, receiving her Church Music Degree.

Alberta started working at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska but during her internship at a church in Clara City, she met a young man named Harlan Pieper who she soon fell in love with. On July 28, 1957, Alberta and Harlan were united in marriage at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Denver, Iowa. The couple made their home in Clara City and were blessed with three children, Deborah, Philip and Daniel.

Alberta’s life was faith, family and music. She started playing organ for church services when she was only 16 years old and she was still playing the organ this year at church when she was able. Alberta was active in her church serving as church organist, first in St. Peter’s, then Immanuel Lutheran in Clara City and most recently, Faith Ev. Lutheran. Through the years she taught Sunday School and served on the church women’s organizations. 

Alberta was a member of the Belle Bloomers Band, Busy Hoe Garden Club and also the Clara City Care Center Auxiliary. She enjoyed working in the activities department of Clara City Care Center from 1985 – 1991, then continued serving there as a volunteer for many years.

In addition to Alberta’s love of music, she enjoyed scrapbooking, other arts and crafts. She enjoyed being a grandmother and she cherished each of her seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

Alberta is survived by her husband of 67 years, Harlan Pieper; children, Deb (Bruce) Stutelberg of Clara City, Phil (Lanae) Pieper of Clara City, Dan (Rhonda) Pieper of Clara City; grandchildren, Craig (Melissa) Stutelberg, Anna (Jon) Tjaden, Katie Pieper, Nicholas (Jessaca) Pieper, Abigail Pieper, Erika Pieper; great grandchildren, Ethan Dunkelberger, Evelyn Stutelberg, Eleanor Stutelberg, Asher Tjaden; sister-in-law, Joyce Brandt of Florida; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Alberta was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Minnie Brandt; grandson, Jacob Pieper; brothers, Roland (Amee) Brandt, Norbert Brandt (killed in action in World War II), Burton Brandt, Thorton Brandt, Lincoln (Mederia) Brandt; sisters, Aloha (Joseph) Bourque, Darlene (Max) Diemer, infant Grace.