Joyce Netherton Albertsen, age 85, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, September 24, 2021, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Joyce was born in La Grange, Kentucky on July 17, 1936 to H. Elliott and Mildred (Rue) Netherton. She was a graduate of Oldham County High School. She attended Transylvania University, in Lexington, KY where she enjoyed playing the French horn and baritone, as well as making lifelong friends in the Chi Omega Fraternity. This is also where her love of owls came from, which she collected hundreds of over the years (the owl is the Chi O mascot). She graduated with a degree in elementary education and began a 31 year career as a teacher. She taught both in Fayette and Oldham County, KY, but spent 26 of her teaching years in Temple City, CA, where she taught at La Rosa Elementary and Cloverly Elementary.
She will be remembered as a selfless mother, dedicated to her two children, Stuart and Julie, for whom she worked tirelessly to provide a loving home. While a stickler for proper grammar and table manners, she was better known by all who came to visit for her “rule book”. She was an intelligent, committed and strong woman who was always willing to help. She was a lifelong member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and loved to sing in the choir. But her true passion was the University of Kentucky and rooting for her Wildcats.
It was her love of music, and playing the baritone in the Covina Community Band, that allowed her to meet Hans Albertsen. They were married on March 16, 1991 and celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary earlier this year, surrounded by family. After retirement, they moved to Goshen, KY, back in Oldham County where Joyce was born, and lived just a few miles from Julie’s family. Throughout their marriage, Hans and Joyce enjoyed traveling, playing in community bands (Hans plays the trombone), and being members in their local Jaguar Club. Joyce was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and served on the Oldham County Planning and Zoning Commission for 14 years, a job she took very seriously, but loved doing.
In February 2020, Joyce and Hans moved to Bedford, TX, along with Julie, to be closer to Stuart and his family. Unfortunately within a month they were quarantined at the Heart is Senior Living facility due to the pandemic. But the family made the best of it and regularly did parties and visits outside, while Joyce and Hans sat on the balcony. More recently, they were able to enjoy a night out with family to celebrate her 85th birthday.
Joyce is preceded in death by her parents, H. Elliott and Mildred (Rue) Netherton, her brother, H. Elliott Netherton II and step-son, Eric Albertsen. She is survived by her loving husband, Hans Albertsen; her children, Stuart (Lisa) Robertson and Julie McDearman; her step-daughter, Kristin Johnson; her former daughter-in-law, Martha Degasis; and her seven grandchildren, Megan (Peyton) Tippett, Natalie Robertson, Ellie McDearman, Chris McDearman, Gus Albertsen, Kyle Johnson and Andrew Johnson.
Services officiated by Susan Lowe will be at 3:00 pm on Saturday, October 16, 2021, with visitation from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, at the Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home, located at 706 W Jefferson St, La Grange, KY 40031.
Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the National MS Society.
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