Agnes Rae (Jo) Albertson

Obituary Agnes Rae (Jo) Schmidt Albertson July 5, 1917 ?" June 30, 2008 Born in Redcliff, Alberta, Canada the 4th of 8 children to Julius and Agnes Schmidt Jo and her family moved to a Mandan, North Dakota farm when she was 1 ½. Her sister, Mary Anne brought her to the West Coast when she was 16 years old where she graduated Stadium High School (Tacoma) in 1938. Jo attended Nursing School at St Joseph's Hospital (affiliated with Seattle University) graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1942. She worked as a ward nurse at St. Jo's, until she learned that a male janitor made more money. In 1943 she submitted her resignation and joined the U.S. Army. Jo was assigned to Madigan Army Hospital when a handsome, dashing Army officer swept her off her feet. She and William K. Albertson were married on August 21, 1947. Jo resigned her commission to join her husband, a U.S. Air Force officer. She continued to practice medicine in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Tokyo Army Hosp. during the Korean War, Virginia, and Oklahoma. From 1963-1981 she worked in a Tacoma medical clinic. Her volunteer work included military bases in Newfoundland and Philippines helping families adjust to overseas duty; volunteering at Tacoma School District's Reading Program to help grade school students; St. Patrick's Catholic Church; and Madigan Clinical Center; where she won the volunteer of the month award. When she and Bill were stationed in Newfoundland, she was President of the Officers Wives Club. Jo also served a term as President of the Retired Nurses Association in Washington State. While in the Philippines, they acquired two additional family members ?" Mama San and Papa San, beautiful Siam Siamese cats.. When transferred back to the States, the San's were shipped first-class thanks to the U.S. Air force. After retiring from the Air Force in 1963, Jo and Bill moved back to Tacoma, close to family and friends. They built a home on Dash Point prior to moving to Old Towne where they purchased an old two story four-plex. Over the next 10 years, with the help of many friends, they converted it into a three-story condominium, with a penthouse on the top floor for their home with a stunning view of the Olympics and Commencement Bay. Throughout her life, Jo was extra-ordinarily generous with her time and friendship. No matter where she and Bill lived, she always remembered her nieces and nephews on holidays, birthdays and special occasions sending treats and treasures from around the world. She was a talented writer, engaging conversationalist and accomplished chef. Many of her letters to friends and family are archived with her niece, Dixie To the day she passed, she maintained a radiant sense of style. Survived by her husband William K., brothers Gabe Schmidt (Dionne), Albert Schmidt, Frank(Renee) Schmidt, sister Mary Anne Welch, step-son Rick (Marylou) Albertson, her niece Dixie (Truman) Coggins and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 11, 2008 at 11:00 am at St. Patrick Church, 1001 North J Street, Tacoma, WA 98403 with a reception to follow. Interment, Calvary Cemetery.