Alberta Marie Menter

Alberta Marie Menter (Birdie) of Elk Horn, Iowa died peacefully Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Salem Lutheran Nursing Homes and Rehabilitation Center, Elk Horn, Iowa at the age of 88. She was born October 26, 1936 in Canton, Ohio to Frederic Moore and Olive Curby (Kinsey) Zimmer. The youngest of three girls, as a child, she enjoyed spending time on Uncle Russ's farm. She had a fascination with Snow White and after nearly dying of Scarlet Fever, she would insist that her father let the 7 dwarves out of the trunk of the car wherever they went. He would oblige. She developed an early aptitude for music, learned to play the piano and developed her singing into an operatic voice. She went to Capital University and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance.

She turned down a chance to study at Juilliard to marry Robert William Menter. They were married at The First Presbyterian Church in Canton, Ohio on June 27, 1959. She then dedicated her life to being a mother and pastor's wife. They were blessed with three sons. She was a substitute teacher in the music department in the Forest Hills School District and gave piano and guitar lessons. Later she became an alcoholism intake counselor at Clermont Recovery in Batavia Ohio. Despite internal struggles and hardships that we may never know, she exhibited strength, hutzpah, and many sacrifices to be on her own as she worked to provide for her family.

After retirement, she travelled to many locations around the country before settling in Elk Horn, Iowa to be close to family. She loved her children fiercely and showered them with love and support and so many memories. She spoiled her grandchildren with her baked goodies, endless popsicles, Hershey bars and her epic Mickey Mouse pancakes, many sleepovers and time with Grandma in the kitchen making George Washington stew and blueberry muffins! Besides her love of her family, her musical talent lives on in her sons and many of her grandchildren.

Alberta was preceded in death by: parents, Frederic Moore Zimmer and Olive Kinsey Zimmer, Her ex- husband, Robert William Menter, sisters, Jane Glover, and Lily Anne Pucket.

Alberta is survived by: Her three sons, Mark (Caroline) Menter, Paul (Sandra Menter-Berry) Menter, and Keith (Cathi) Menter; seven grandchildren: Kinsey (Eric) Phifer, Alexandra Menter, Jordan Menter, Connor Menter, Colin Menter, Angelique Menter and Keagan Menter ; two great grandchildren, Keeleigh Phifer, Elliott Phifer; and many loving family members and friends. May her beautiful soprano voice once more sing out into the heavens!

No services are planned at this time for Alberta.