Our beautiful mom, wife, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Dot Alber, has gained her eternal wings and is resting peacefully in heaven.
She passed away Monday, April 28, 2025, at the age of 84 in Durango, Colo., surrounded by her family. Dot battled a difficult and painful cancer. Her death was very unexpected and has brought much sadness to our family.
Dot was born Oct. 10, 1940, in Hastings, Neb., to Wallace and Frieda (Kissler) Newman.
She married Bob Alber on Feb. 8, 1959, in Hastings, Neb.
They farmed in Blue Hill, Neb., and raised four daughters.
In 1980 they moved to Steamboat Springs, Colo. Dot managed ski shops in Steamboat; using her creative talents she designed beautiful retail spaces.
In 2004, Dot and Bob moved to Pagosa Springs to enjoy their retirement years.
Our beloved Dot had stunning beauty inside and out. She had great strength in her soul and lived life to the fullest. She showed patience that was gentle, generous and kind. She had an adventurous fire for life, and she never gave up. She had a comforting grace that made you feel accepted and loved. Her delicious cookies and homemade meals felt healing. You could taste all the love she put into her cooking. Her cooking was such a gift that she joyfully shared with anyone. She was humble and compassionate, and always thought of others. She was a self-taught natural artist and beautiful creative soul. Her talent for capturing the subtle uniqueness of nature in her illustration was magical. Her place of peace and connection was with nature. Her home gathered so many animals that would come to seek comforting shelter around Dot and Bob’s sanctuary. She was the other half of a long beautiful partnership with her best friend and loving husband, Bob. They were a legendary team.
Dot is survived by her husband of 66 years; daughters Kim Johnson (partner Zane), of Craig, Colo., Tracia Premer (husband Rock), of Lincoln, Neb., Robin Harris (husband Jeff), of Taos, N.M., and Rachel Alber (partner Andrew), of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; grandchildren Tyson Voyek (partner Brook Stoddard, kids Oakleigh, Kory, Brandon and Sydney), Cammeron Howard (husband Austin, kids Jett, Ace and Rhen), Skyler Trujillo (husband Jace, kids Jackie and Catelyn), Taylor Premer (wife Taylor Thompson); brother Robert Newman; and many nieces and nephews.
Dot was proceeded in death by her parents, in-laws Hank and Mary Alber, and grandson Corey Voyek.
Immediate family will have a celebration of life at a later date and take Dot’s ashes to a special place in the mountains.
May the many blessed memories with sweet Dot bring comfort to those who knew her and continue to inspire love across generations.
She will be forever loved and missed.
