Michael Harry Albright

Michael (Mike) Harry Albright, 78, of Sioux City, Iowa, passed away on September 5, 2026, following a six-month illness.

Michael was born October 19, 1947, in Rockford, Illinois, to William and Beulah (Holden) Albright. He spent his younger years in Rockford and Janesville, Wisconsin, before embarking on a life of service and adventure that would take him around the world.

Michael proudly served his country for 23 years in the United States Navy as a hospital corpsman. His military career included two years of service in Vietnam, as well as assignments in Kansas City, Missouri; Okinawa, Japan; El Toro, California; and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

It was during his time in Okinawa that an unexpected story in the Des Moines Register changed the course of his life. Michael subscribed to the newspaper while stationed overseas, and in 1979 he read a story about Linda (Peters) Stansbury, a Sioux City single mother who had recently lost her job at Zenith due to the plant’s closure. Touched by Linda’s circumstances, Michael sent her $10 along with a letter. That simple act of kindness began a correspondence between two people who had never met. They became pen pals, writing to one another from May through August of that year, and the connection they formed eventually grew into something much more.

Michael and Linda were married on December 18, 1982, in Sioux City. Following his retirement from the Navy, Michael made Sioux City his permanent home with Linda, and the two would spend more than four decades together. In retirement, Michael worked at Nutra Flo and Menards.

Although his Navy career eventually came to an end, Michael never completely lost his love for life at sea. He simply traded Navy ships for cruise ships—and military duty for a considerably more relaxed way of sailing. Michael and Linda became devoted Carnival cruisers, taking 24 cruises together between January 2005 and February 2024, often accompanied by their son and daughter-in-law. Their travels gave them nearly two decades of adventures and memories together and allowed Michael to continue enjoying the sea that had been such a significant part of his life.

Michael is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda Albright; his stepson, Mike Stansbury and his wife, Dawn; siblings Bonnie Myszka of Tennessee; Janelle Larson and her husband, Bill, of Wisconsin; Beki Cover and her husband Bob of Arkansas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Beulah Albright; his brother, Bill Albright, Jr.; his sisters, Karen Schwartzlow, Pam Eckhoff, and Debbie Albright; and brother-in-laws Gordy Myscka and Larry Schwartzlow.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at the VA in Sioux Falls, Holy Spirit Retirement Home, and the kind and wonderful angels of St. Croix Hospice. Their compassion, comfort, and loving care brought peace and support to Michael and his family during his final days.

From a young man serving his country halfway around the world, to a husband who found the love of his life through a newspaper story and a $10 act of kindness, to a retiree happily setting sail with Linda again and again, Michael’s life was marked by service, generosity, adventure, and the people with whom he shared the journey.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Funeral service will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Redeemer Lutheran Church. His final resting place will be Memorial Park Cemetery.