Dennis Albertson

Dennis R. “Denny” Albertson, 74, a resident of Long Grove, passed away Friday, September 13, 2013 at his home.
Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Long Grove. Visitation will be from 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 16th at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dennis Albertson Memorial Fund for the benefit of the North Scott Education Foundation.
Denny was born on March 21, 1939 in Twin Valley, MN, the son of Norman and Evelyn (Opsahl) Albertson. In December of 1964, he married Susan Stratton. He then married Cathy Jo “CJ” Balsar on July 27, 1986 at Eldridge United Methodist Church in Eldridge.
Denny graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He taught at schools in Northwood and West Branch, Iowa and then worked at the University of Iowa Lab School. While there, he received his Master’s Degree in Education and was sought out to become an administrator in the newly forming North Scott School District. One of his proudest accomplishments was his idea of naming the new elementary schools after astronauts and in 1967 became the first principal for John Glenn Elementary School in Donahue and Virgil Grissom Elementary School in Princeton. He served as a principal in the North Scott School district at Grissom and Neil Armstrong Elementary Schools for 33 years, retiring in 2000. Following his retirement, he served one year as an interim principal for John F. Kennedy Catholic School in Davenport. During his retirement, he continued to mentor to kids and adults and was a student teacher supervisor for Western Illinois University.
Denny was community service oriented and was a current school board member of North Scott School District. Denny belonged to Eldridge United Methodist Church where he served on many committees. He was a former member of the School Administrators of Iowa, Princeton Lions Club and was active with the local Boy Scouts. Denny enjoyed politics, public speaking, fishing, camping, being with his morning coffee guys and his Wednesday Retired Principals Group. Denny was well known for emceeing many local events.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife, CJ Albertson of Long Grove; two sons, John (Lora) Albertson and their children, Ben and Jack of Prospect Park, NJ and Larry Albertson of the Maquoketa area; his siblings, Dean (Sherry) Albertson of Rochester, MN, Myrna (Mike) Baucom of Green Bay, WI and Myron (Donal) Albertson of Albuquerque, NM; and his mother-in-law, Shirley Lucas to whom he affectionately opened his heart and home to share in Long Grove.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son in infancy, Matthew; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Albertson.