Marion Edward Alberts, M.D.

Dr. Marion Edward Alberts passed away on June 10, 2018 at the age of 95. He was the first-born son of Eddie and Mary Margaret (Hilbert) Alberts on March 14, 1923 at Hastings, Nebraska. He had a younger brother, Dale L. (deceased) and a sister Marcy who survives him.

Marion graduated from Hastings High School in 1940. He fulfilled his childhood ambition to become a physician by entering into pre-medical studies at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln on a Regent’s scholarship. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1944.

During the first semester of his fourth year at the University he was inducted into the U.S. Navy and served as s hospital corpsman. In September 1944 he was transferred to the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. He received his degree as Doctor of Medicine in April 1948. At the time of his graduation he also received a commission as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

Doctor Alberts served a rotating internship at Iowa Methodist Medical Center and a residency at Raymond Blank Hospital for Children, Des Moines, Iowa. During the second year of pediatric residency, he received a recall to the Navy as a medical officer serving two years during the Korean conflict. After release from active duty he completed his residency at Blank Hospital and entered private practice. He continued to remain in the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Corps for 26 years, retiring in July 1969 with the rank of Commander.

His medical specialty was the care of infants and children being certified by the Academy of Pediatrics in 1956.

Doctor Alberts served as Chief of Pediatrics at Mercy Hospital for 18 years and was Chief of Staff in 1961. He held the position of Scientific Editor of Iowa Medicine for the Journal of the Iowa Medical Society for 27 years. He served on numerous medical committees and boards and was a member of the medical staff of Iowa Methodist, Blank Childrens, Mercy, Lutheran and Broadlawn hospitals.

Gardening was a favorite pastime and for 11 years he was the volunteer gardener for the flower gardens surrounding the Flynn mansion at the Living History Farms. Dr. Alberts also had an extensive collection of antique infant feeding items as well as silver and coral teethers and rattlers. His collection has been donated to the University of Nebraska Medical Library as well as Mercy Medical Center.

In addition to his love for editorial writing for Iowa Medicine, he was a co-author of a History of Polk County Medical Society as well as medical consultant to an extensive history work about Iowa Methodist, Blank Childrens and Lutheran hospitals.

Marion and Jeannette McDaniels were united in marriage on Christmas Day 1944. Jeannette received her degree as a registered nurse in 1943 from Lincoln General Hospital where they met while Marion worked for room and board while a pre-medical student. Jeannette passed away in 2007 after 63 years of marriage.

Four children blessed their marriage: Kathryn, Brian, Deborah and Timothy. Kathryn passed away in 1986, Brian Alberts is a resident of Norwalk, Iowa; Deborah (Kevin) Prust reside in Clive, Iowa and Timothy (Angie) Alberts reside in Dublin, Ohio. Brother Dale preceded him in death and sister Marcy (Gerald) McCracken live in Lincoln, Nebraska. Ten grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren also survive him.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. until the service time at 11 a.m. on Friday June 15, 2018 at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Des Moines with internment at Resthaven Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the Mercy Foundation to benefit the school of nursing.