MONTEZUMA - Alberta Fern (Schmidt) Redger, our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, was born February 22 1928 to Daniel and Eva (Koehn) Schmidt at their home south of Montezuma. She quietly slipped away on July 26, 2017 reaching the age of 89 years.

She received her education at the Mertilla School, where the Plains View church is now located, which will also be her final resting place. She was the only Mennonite girl there so her ponytails were a novelty. She grew up on a farm taking care of chickens and doing field work.

Mother accepted the Lord into her heart and was baptized October 18, 1940 into the Church of God in Christ Mennonite. She remained faithful to her vows until the end.

On February 26, 1950, she married Walter Redger at the age of 22. She faithfully shared Dads many interests and supported him throughout their adventure filled 65 years.

Mom was an outgoing person. Her husband and her family were most important to her with each son knowing he had a special place in her heart. She extended a warm welcome to whomsoever she met. She was quick to laugh with her unique chuckle that everyone seems to remember. She was always ready to volunteer her time to serve others which brought joy to her life. Her dad instilled in her a real interest in God's Word and Bible Stories. Many students benefited from her enthusiasm she brought to the class room in teaching Bible School and Sunday School. She loved sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She was flexible, creative, adventurous, and able to make the best of every situation.

After raising her family 6 miles west of Montezuma, she and Dad moved to Brazil with Errol, Wade, and Craig. They started out in an open eave house with a diesel generator for evening lights. The 17 years there were spent clearing land and growing row crops. They moved back to Plains in 1990 to a cattle ranch where they remained until health issues caused them to move to Bethel Home, then to the Lone Tree Rest Home where Dad passed away, and finally back to Bethel Home. She appreciated the excellent care she received at each place.

Survivors include six sons, Steven and wife Rebecca of Yuma, Arizona, Stanton and wife Diane of Lakin, Errol and wife Karen of Hardin, Montana, Kevin and wife Carol of Montezuma, Wade and wife Irene of Plains, and Craig and wife Monica of Princeton, Idaho; 22 grandchildren; and 22 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter Redger, her parents Daniel and Eva, and her brother Milton Schmidt.

Funeral service will be held at Plains View Mennonite Church, rural Plains, on Sunday July 30, 2017 at 10:30 AM. with Ministers Kelly Isaac, Loyd Nightingale, and Raleigh Koehn presiding. Burial will follow at Plains View Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Saturday July 29, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to Bethel Home in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.