She was first appointed to the bench in 1992 for the 7th Judicial District, and became the first female chief judge in Iowa in 2006.
Senior Judge Mark Cleve says she was a "terrific judge."
"She was thoughtful, she was kind, she was always decisive when required, and she was held in great respect."
Alpers first taught English at Pleasant Valley High School, and then went to law school at the University of Iowa, followed by jobs as a law clerk, assistant county attorney, in private practice, and then judicial magistrate.
Cleve remembers her leadership during a very difficult time.
"And as you may recall in 2008 and 2009 with the national economy, it caused a great deal of financial stress in the judicial system and she took that all on without complaint and worked with state court administration. We had furloughs, we had reductions in service, and it was a very difficult time."
Alpers retired in 2013, and died at her home in rural Jackson County in 2020.
Iowa's 7th Judicial District includes: Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, Muscatine, and Scott counties
