ALBERTA GWEN GOETTING NELSON

1960-2023

Alberta (known as “Bertie” to loved ones) got to see her Savior face-to-face the morning of Nov. 11. Her passing was completely unexpected and has left a wake of shock and grief. She was 62 years young.

Bertie was a presence in every room she entered. She had no filter, always saying something inappropriate, then laugh-snorting at herself. As much as she tended to make others around her blush or roll their eyes, she also loved BIG. Her lack of filter with embarrassing things also translated to telling others about Jesus, even strangers in a waiting room or store.

She was a woman of tremendous faith, which she shared boldly, and was a faithful prayer warrior. She did not have an easy life, especially physically. She lived with pain for many years, but she kept loving, laughing and serving her family. One of the first things for which we are thankful is she is no longer in pain! Although we can rejoice over the end of her suffering, the sadness, shock and grief are very real here on earth. She will be missed immensely.

Bertie was born Dec. 28, 1960, the youngest of five daughters, to Clyde Albert “Buster” (d:1995) and Rebecca “Jerry” Goetting in Bakersfield, Calif. When it was announced in church that she had arrived, the pastor said, “Buster finally got his GIRL,” to the amusement of the congregation. She was named after her father, whose middle name was Albert. She grew up in Tehachapi attending Tehachapi schools (class of 1979), moving to the Fresno area in the 1980s.

Alberta was preceded in death (and reunited in heaven) by her dad, Clyde “Buster” Goetting, her sister Rebecca “Chris” McCormick, three grandchildren, and in-laws Eileen and Wendell Nelson.

She is survived by her loving husband, John, their daughters, Jacqueline and Heather, and son, John, all of Fresno; two grandsons, Dylan and Gregorio; her mother, Jerry Goetting of Fresno; three sisters, Beth (Wayne) Bush of Clovis, Ginger (Larry) Thatcher of Onyx, and Lenora (Jerry) Young of Fresno; sister-in-law, Wendy Nelson; as well as nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

There is much grieving as we wanted much more time with her, but there is also joy and relief. It’s OK to hold all of those things at once. Prayers are appreciated for broken hearts, especially for those closest to her, including her husband, mother, kids, grandkids, and her sisters who are still reeling from having lost an older sister just over a year ago, and now the baby of the family. We are grateful for the hope of eternity in our time of mourning.

Memorial Service will be held Jan. 27 at 11 a.m., New Hope Community Church, 4629 Nees Ave., Clovis 93611.