Alma Lubbers-Richardson

Alma Theresa Fortin Lubbers-Richardson was born on November 7, 1929, in rural Sheridan County, KS, to Adlor (Del) Joseph and Clara Walburga (Robben) Fortin, just minutes before her twin brother, Elmer Joseph Fortin.  Alma passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at the Community Hospital, McCook, NE, at the age of 95 years, 8 months, and 26 days.

Alma graduated from Leoville High School in 1948 and attended Marymount College of Kansas in Salina. Alma considered following her maternal aunts Sister Helena Robben and Sister Cortona Robben into the convent, but decided she didn’t want anyone telling her what to do. She instead earned her teaching certificate and taught at rural one-room schools in Sheridan and Gove counties, eventually buying herself a 4-wheel drive Chevrolet pickup for traveling the muddy roads. She enjoyed going to dances, hunting and shooting, and a good bottle of beer.

On August 2, 1958, Alma was united in marriage to David Edward Lubbers at the Immaculate Conception Church, Leoville, KS. Alma passed away on what would have been their 67th anniversary. Dave was likely waiting for her in his 1958 Buick Riviera.

Alma and Dave farmed south of Grinnell, KS for 43 years, where Alma was a farm wife, homemaker, and served as secretary of Lubbers Brothers Farms, Inc. Alma served on the Gove County Extension Council for many years, including as a member and leader of the West Gove EHU and Golden Plains 4-H.  She served as board member of the Area Agency on Aging, and volunteered as an election worker and for many other community organizations. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary and the NRA. She was also a lifetime member of the Daughters of Isabella, a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Grinnell and of Holy Family of Nazareth Church in Irving, TX, where she served on the Altar Guild and Rosary Makers.  Alma was known for her handcrafts, including crocheting hundreds of baby hats for Gove County Hospital and making thousands of rosaries, from fine silver and bead rosaries for special occasions to mission rosaries that were donated across the world. She was known by her nieces and nephews for her famous pumpkin loaf baked for holidays. She and Dave were called “Mom” and “Dad” by many of their children’s friends.

Alma is survived by her six children:  Joseph Lubbers and his wife, Debbie, of McCook, NE; Marcella (Sally) Chase of Florence, CO; Judy Jones and Shane Warner, of McCook, NE; Mary Kay Lubbers, of Burlington, NC; Janette Beougher and her husband, Steve, of Grinnell, KS; and Michele (Micki) Lubbers and husband Shayne Schuldt, of Lawrence, KS; by her brother, Elmer Fortin and his wife Dee, of Fort Collins, CO, and sister, Doris (Dodi) Markovich, of Milwaukee, WI; by grandchildren, Bethyl and Kyle Randa; Patrick Lubbers; Dexi Chase and Sean Striegel; Elliott and Samantha Chase; Justine Brott and Eric Stensvad; Seraphina and Christopher Moore; Regina Lubbers-Reyes and Jordan Parker; Lindsay and TJ Dearing; Heather and Jordan Fee; and great-grandchildren Alex Randa, Madelyn Randa, Sterling Chase, Blaine Chase, Bodey Brott, Rylee Stensvad, Ryker Stensvad, Ryslynn Stensvad, Trace Dearing, Teague Dearing, Collins Fee, Holden Fee, and Preston Fee.

Alma was preceded in death by her husband David in 2001.  She enjoyed a second marriage in her eighties to an old friend, William Richardson of Arlington, TX, who passed in 2015. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Eunice Dooley and Doreen Ruwart, and brothers, Denis Fortin, Maurice Fortin, and Marion Fortin, and beloved son-in-law Michel (Mike) Chase.

Alma will be lovingly remembered by family and friends for many years to come.

A Rosary, beginning at 9:30 AM, will be recited on Wednesday morning, August 6, 2025 at Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Grinnell, Kansas. Mass of Christian burial will follow the Rosary, beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Grinnell will follow services.

Memorials are suggested to the family of Alma Lubbers-Richardson for future designation. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.