Cora Albertson passed through those Pearly Gates of Heaven Tuesday night in the Burlington Hospital with Family members at her side. She was 95 years old. Cora was born April 29, 1918, to Philbert A. (P.A.) (Bert) and Martha Josephine(Josie) Smith (Taylor) in the Hale, CO community in her parents farm house. She lived and attended school in the Hale and Happy Hollow communities (completing the 10th grade at Happy Hollow) until she married the love of her life Wilford G. Albertson (May 20, 1936). At that time Wilford was working for his Uncle and other farmers near Edson, KS, so they rented a vacant farm houses in the area. This was a very hard life during this time due to the dust storms and the depression, they took work wherever it could be found. Cora took care of the home and the first born child (Alford). They had a goat to milk for the dairy products, some chickens for eggs and she raised a garden. She did the laundry using a wash board; water had to be carried from the well to the house to be heated. In the early months of 1941 Wilfords Uncle bought a house in Halsey, OR, & moved there so they moved also, just prior to the move (March 1941 the second child was born (Ray March 1941). They worked on a dairy farm in the Halsey area living in the tenant house. WWII started and it was decided that the family should be near Coras parents. Early in 1942 they moved back to the Burlington (Happy Hollow) area, where they worked for several farmers until Coras parents bought the Hale, CO Store and Post Office. Coras Father rented his farm to them. This is where the third child was born in Dec. 1943 (Lois). So now there were several head of cows to milk in addition the chickens, hogs and garden to tend to also she had the washing, ironing, cooking and cleaning to do while he worked in the fields. A couple of years later they had an opportunity to buy the Hub Insco farm a few miles away and with it there was more work to do, more animals to take care of. It was here that the fourth child was born (Darold Feb.1946).The produce; cream, eggs and fryers were sold to buy the groceries and clothes for the family. It was a family effort, but many times Cora was the one that had to get the chores done due to the kids being in school and he being busy in the fields.

In the mid 1950s they decided to move closer to Burlington so the children would be closer to High School, so they moved to a home they rented a few miles north of town ( The Hendrickss place) it was at this time that Cora decided that she needed to get a job and make some extra income so she got a job as a cook at the Williams Caf on 14th St. They commuted to and from the farm for a few years prior to moving to Oregon for the second time, again they made the decision to move back to the farm in CO, not caring for the climate. In the early 1960s they sold the farm and moved to town, Cora got a job at the Burlington Nursing Home as a Care Giver, she worked there many years, later working for Dynamic Dimensions, Inc. as a care giver, grocery shopping and menu manager for the clients. Later she worked as an (in home) care giver for individual families. She worked as a care giver for approximately 35 years.

Cora lived in her home in Burlington until her health required her to move to Grace Manor Nursing Home in 2010.

She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, quilting & crocheting (making quilts, crocheted and embroidery items as gifts for her family) and working in her yard. She also liked to travel making many trips to California to see her Sons and Grandchildren. She enjoyed gospel music, games of all kinds especially dominoes and Chinese checkers. She loved to watch the Rockies play baseball on television. She also enjoyed watching her son-in-law pitch horse shoes.

Cora is preceded in death by her parents, Philbert and Martha Smith; her husband, Wilford G. Albertson; two sisters; one grandson; two daughter-in-laws.

She is survived by her daughter, Lois Cooper & (Dave) of Burlington, CO; her Sons, Alford & (Geri) Albertson of Lemoore, CA; Ray & (Ginny) Albertson of Alturas, CA; Darold & (Diane) of Burlington, CO; her brother RB & (Betty) Smith of Burlington, CO; 14 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren; 11 great great grandchildren.

Cora and her sister Louise along with others were baptized by a Baptist evangelist in the Frank Parmer concrete stock tank located just north and across the road from the old Happy Hollow school house. She was a dedicated Christian very spiritual throughout her life, never hesitating to pray for someone in need. She was a very caring person and never failed to put another persons needs above her own.

She had a great sense of humor and relished a good story about something that had happened that was humorous, although sometimes it might not have been humorous at the time it happened. She was person that could be truly characterized as an optimist; she always saw the silver lining.

The family will greet their friends Sunday November 24, 2013 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Brown & Latimer Funeral Home , Burlington.

A Celebration of Life for our Mom will be held Monday November 25, 2013 beginning at 2:00 PM at the First Baptist Church of Burlington 239 Cherry, Burlington, CO 80807. Cora will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Wilford , after such a long separation they are once again together The Family will greet their friends ; Sunday November 24, 2013 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the at the Fairview Cemetary , Burlington, CO.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers any remembrances be made as donations to the First Baptist Church of Burlington.