John August Alberg II, 82, of Brownsville, TX, formerly of Topeka, KS, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2012. John was born July 5, 1929, in Topeka, son of Henry and Esther Alberg. John was preceded in death by his parents, wife of thirty-eight years, JoAnn Falley Alberg, and granddaughter, Jane Ann Donaldson. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1948. Shortly after graduating from Topeka High School, John started his 45 years of service to Falleys Inc., becoming the President in 1971. He founded and developed the Food 4 Less grocery chain in 1973, with 150 stores nationwide. John served on numerous boards while living in Topeka: Merchants Bank (1979-1993), the Associated Wholesale Grocers (1975-1990), Topeka Country Club, and the Jayhawk Area Council of the Boy Scout of America. He had given his attention and resources to several non-profit organizations devoted to families and children. He was a Circle of Friends member of the Kaw Valley Center in Kansas City, KS; a benefactor to the Tip of Texas Family Outreach in Brownsville, TX; a Benefactor Member of the Boy Scouts of America. On March 31, 2011, John and Adrian Pudge Whited presented a Trojan statue to past, present, and future Topeka High School students. John had devoted much time to his passions for golf and building/flying radio controlled model airplanes. He was the President of the Capital City Radio Control Club and President of the Small Model Aircraft Society of Harlingen, TX. Currently, he was the owner of River Bend Resort and Country Club in Brownsville, TX. He is survived by his wife of twenty-five years, Nancy Ashley Alberg, siblings, Henry Alberg, Lois (Delos) Lander, and Edward (Joyce) Alberg. John was the proud father of three daughters, Julie (Rick) May, Jan (Bill) Pausewang, Jill (Perry) Lewis; five grandchildren, Nicole (Bill) Curtis, J.T. (Kim) Head, Ryan (Kelly) Lewis, Bobby Lewis, and Kimberly Lewis; four great-grandchildren, Jocelyn Head, Kara Curtis, Audrey Curtis, and Lucas Head; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a dear step-father and step-grandfather to his wife Nancys children, Carrie Storm, Tim Evans, Susan Canaan, and Julie Spatz; and twelve grandchildren. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 27, 2012, at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, Topeka. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Topeka. Mr. Alberg will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 26, 2012, at the funeral home, where family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Topeka High School Historical Society Alumni Association, 800 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66612 or Kaw Valley Behavioral Health Care, 21350 West 153rd St., Olathe, KS 66061. To leave the family a special message, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.
Published in Topeka Capital-Journal on January 25, 2012