Alberta Dayhuff Stevens Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Alberta Dayhuff Stevens, 82, lived a full, faithful, and dynamic life. The baptismal promise of eternal life was granted to her on August 28th, 2021. Bert was one of a kind-spirited, funny, and fiercely passionate about life. She was generous, caring, and compassionate. Alberta was born on November 16, 1938, in Pendleton, Oregon, to parents Clifford and Florence Dayhuff. Though living most of her life in Ohio, Pendleton held a special place in her heart as it did for her sister Norma. It’s no surprise that she so enjoyed the last decades of her life living in German Village-which has that small town feel of community and connection. Bert headed east by train at age 18 for college and spent one year at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, but she then transferred to Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, because they had less strict rules about smoking. She graduated from Capital University with a degree in Education and taught in Columbus Public Schools for 33 years. Bert was an English teacher (she had Archie Griffin as a student) in her early years but spent most of her career as an OWE (Occupational Work Experience) teacher. Bert dedicated her life to enhancing the lives of her students. She mentored at-risk students-teaching them valuable life skills and finding them employment. While working as an educator, she also helped run the family business of owning rental properties throughout Columbus. She was an integral part of building and maintaining this business. Her business acumen shined. She was a compassionate landlord and cared for her tenants. She helped many tenants by being a “social worker” and connecting them with various services or agencies. She had a big heart for those in need. Bert gave life to three children: Shellie, Monte, and Ryan. They were the loves of her life, and everything she did was for them. She was at her best when she was supporting her children in pursuing their passions-Shellie, musical theater and motherhood; Ryan, competitive diving and starting his own businesses, Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus; Monte, sports, graduate school, and pursuing his call to ministry at North Riverdale Lutheran Church. Tragedy strikes all of us, and for Bert it was the premature death of two of her children, Ryan and then Shellie. Bert exhibited amazing strength-not only surviving the death of two children but continuing to thrive in life. Bert so enjoyed being a grandmother and great-grandmother, even though she could never remember their birthdates! She endlessly enjoyed the time she spent with them taking them to the zoo, COSI, library, parks, and all places fun. Her great passion in life was putting God’s glory on display through gardening. The garden at her German Village home feeds the soul with the beauty she created. Her home garden was pictured in the Smithsonian and several other gardening magazines and shows. She was most proud of her creation of the Huntington Gardens in Schiller Park in German Village. For over 28 years she designed, planted (7,500 square feet of flower beds), and organized her band of volunteer gardeners to bring beauty to this Columbus City Park. There weren’t many “ordinary” plants in the garden as she strove for unique specimens for both the public and master gardeners to enjoy. Her volunteers (around 30) are known as the “deadheaders”-for deadheading all the flowers. Many precious memories and friendships were created through this gardening experience. She treasured those friendships as they were a source of joy and life. Bert served her community in various ways. She moved to German Village in 1989, and it did not take long for her to enhance the village with her gifts. In 2012 she received the Special Ambassador Award from the German Village Society. This award was granted to her for furthering the goals, interests, and aspirations of German Village to a broader audience through activities such as advocacy, liaison work, promotion, and fundraising. Those activities included leadership and participation in: The Umbrella Girl Project, serving as President of the German Village Garden Club, co-hosting many pre-tour dinners, Oktoberfest volunteer, recruiter of gardens to be included for the annual Haus und Garten Tour, and, of course, the creation of the Huntington Gardens in Schiller Park. From a patch of grass and mud, she led a team that secured city and corporate funding to beautify this city park. She was the energy behind the creation of the gardens-hiring contractors and creating the original design of the gardens to reflect the colors of the German homeland and the United States. The Huntington Gardens have brought beauty to Schiller Park and to all who walk the brick paths which surround the three beds of beautiful blooms. To ensure that there would be money to continue the Huntington Gardens, she created an endowment. Bert’s tenacity helped to quickly meet the initial goal of $200,000, and she then worked to help that endowment grow. Her goal to raise enough money to maintain the garden into the future is close to being met. She was proud of this achievement. For years to come, Bert will be inextricably linked with the Huntington Gardens in Schiller Park. Left to honor and carry forth her living legacy is her son Monte Stevens (Chris); grandchildren Nathaniel Stevens (Alyssa) and their children Amelia and Natalie, Adam Stevens, Joseph Milazzo (Adel), Jennifer Milazzo, and James MacAfee; her nieces and nephews Jeff Helstrom, Chris Helstrom (Mary) and Julie Matysik (Matt); son-in-law Brian MacAfee; brother-in-law John Murdoch and several step-nieces. Bert was preceded in death by son Ryan Stevens, daughter Shellie MacAfee, and sister Norma Murdoch. Bert will be missed by many, but she will live on through the actions of each of us who were blessed by her life. Bert’s life is a story of resilience and living hope that will continue like the gardens she loved. Thanks to everyone who helped and assisted her on her journey in life. A special thanks to those who watched over her in special and caring ways these last several years. Your help extended her time in her home, enabling her to enjoy her gardens which brought her such deep satisfaction and contentment. You are welcome to attend an outdoor service at Schiller Park at the Huntington Gardens on Saturday, September 4th, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Monte Stevens, officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift in her name to the German Village Society (memo line: Huntington Gardens Endowment), 588 S. 3rd St, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or North Riverdale Lutheran Church (for mission outreach), 45 Kurtz Ave, Dayton, Ohio, 45405.

Alberta Dayhuff Stevens

November 16, 1938 - August 28, 2021