U.S. ARMY
Theodore L. "Ted" Albracht, 86, of Sioux City died Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, at his residence.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with Monsignor Roger Augustine officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military rites. A luncheon will follow the services in the Blessed Sacrament parish center. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., a 4 p.m. rosary by the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus, and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Christy-Smith Larkin Northside Chapel.

Ted was born, a twin with Edward, in Lindsay, Neb., on Nov. 1, 1921, the son of Henry and Gertrude (Schaecher) Albracht. He graduated from St. Francis High School in Humphrey, Neb. He worked for John Deere before he joined the U.S. Army in 1942, and served during World War II.

He married Rita A. Reding on June 21, 1948, in Defiance, Iowa. The couple made their home in Omaha, Neb., before coming to Sioux City in 1952. Ted worked for General Foods for 37 years, retiring in 1985.

He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus, Blessed Sacrament Council. Ted enjoyed golf, cards and having morning coffee with his many friends, which were the things he missed most in the last few months.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Rita; his children, Randy and his wife, Dianne of Lancaster, Pa., Allen of San Diego, Calif., Terry and his wife, Jackie of Everett, Wash., Tom and his wife, Connie of Perth, Australia, and Ann and her husband, Tim Gerch of Lincoln, Neb.; his grandchildren, Ben, Dan, Lancia, Lauren, Matt, Alex, Adam, Holly, Ryan, Riley, Ted and Garrett; his brothers and sisters, Sylvester and his wife, Evelyn, Ed and his wife, Yvonne, Clarence "Bud" and his wife, Germaine, Arlie, twin of Clarence, Tuddie Schure, Mary Ann "Babe" and her husband, Carol Kraus, and Bill and his wife, Marge; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers and sisters, Leona, Hilda, Leander, Rosella, twins, Betty and Bernice, and Harold.

Pallbearers will be Denny McWilliams, Dave Stedman, Arne Feste, Jack Berg, Glen Albracht and Craig Albracht. Honorary pallbearers will be Bing Welte, Ralph Meyers, Bob Temple, Joe Rizk, Jim Golden, Gene Fleming, Joe Wiedemeier, John Tiedeman, Dick Collins, Floyd Smith and Bud Kathol.

A memorial has been established in Ted's name for Hospice of Siouxland and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

We want to thank the wonderful Hospice staff for all their love and care. Dad would not have been with us this long without you. We will all learn a lesson as to what makes someone a saint.