Rita R. Roberson

rita roberson

December 11, 1952 ~ May 20, 2023

Born in: New Hampton, IA
Resided in: New Hampton, IA

 

Rita Renee Roberson, age 70, of New Hampton, IA passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Linn Haven in New Hampton.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Jerico Lutheran Church in Jerico, IA with Pastor Peter Faugstad officiating. There will be a visitation from 10:00-11:30 AM at the church on Saturday prior to the funeral service. Burial will be held at a later date.

Rita was born December 11, 1952, to Oscar & Arlene Vikdal. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and graduated from New Hampton High School. She married her high school sweetheart Steven Roberson June 16, 1973, and they continued their love story all the way to the end. Complete opposites, but together they made the perfect team. That perfect team welcomed a son named Derik on March 24, 1988, upon which Rita stopped working at Tri-Mark. She stayed home with Derik until he started elementary school, then decided to volunteer at the elementary school just to see him. She then followed him to the high school where she worked as a part time cook until retiring in 2013. Words cannot describe how amazing of a mother Rita was. A perfect, irreplaceable mother from day 1, the type of mother everyone should be lucky enough to have.

Not only was Rita the perfect mother, but she was also the perfect wife. She was trying to hold on a little longer as the happy couple were set to celebrate 50 years of marriage next month. What an accomplishment! And what a life the two shared.  From a farm in Jerico to the last 14 years back in New Hampton, what an adventure every step of the way. Their greatest passion together was traveling, and they made it to 48 of the 50 states excluding Rhode Island and Hawaii. They had fun and made memories on every trip, but their favorite was when they ventured to Alaska. One road in, one road out. What an experience, what beauty! They also enjoyed their 3 trips to Canada, eating clam chowder on the east coast while taking in the changing fall colors and all their trips to Florida to escape the cold Iowa winters. Recently they enjoyed trips to Las Vegas to see their son and the most special trip was in 2019 where on back-to-back nights we saw Lady A followed by Carrie Underwood. Rita was having the time of her life, while the lack of sleep almost killed Steven. He had to take a nap on Sunday while mother and son headed down the strip to find a Blake Shelton machine! Again, words can’t express how much Steven will miss his travel partner and the best companion he could ever ask for. Perfect mother, perfect wife, perfect everything.

In high school Rita worked at the A&W and the Main Diner and that led to her lifetime love of cooking. It was her way to decompress and anything she baked could have been served in the finest restaurants around the world. These last few years she was able to cook more often with her son and he will always be grateful for the lessons handed down by his brilliant mother. Her favorite saying was the fondest memories are made when gathered around the table.

In her spare time Rita enjoyed reading. Nora Roberts was her favorite author and she loved getting lost in her books. Another passion of hers was putting puzzles together, anything to pass time in the winter! She also enjoyed playing cards and any board game her son managed to bring home. A minute to win it will always be a memory the family will never forget as it was a night full of awkwardness and lots of laughs. Any activity always involved music from the 60’s and the 70’s. Inside during the winter and outside in the spring when the yard work began. She enjoyed landscaping and trying new creative projects and putting them on display in the yard. Her creativity was unmatched. That creativity trickled into the house as well. After her house was spotless and food was in the fridge, she would find new things to try, make, or bake. Such a talented superwoman gone much too soon.

Survivors include her two favorite men. Her husband Steven and son Derik meant the world to her, and their lives will never be the same without their rock. She also leaves behind 2 sisters, Sharon Townsend of New Hampton, IA and Judy Doyle of Bellingham, WA, both of whom she was close to and a brother, Ron & Nita Vikdal of North Washington, IA who was her hero growing up. Lastly, she leaves behind many nieces and nephews and a ton of great friends who felt more like family over the years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar & Arlene Vikdal.

Services

Visitation: May 27, 2023 10:00 am - 11:30 am

Jerico Lutheran Church
2512 120th Street
New Hampton, IA 50659

641-394-4331

Service: May 27, 2023 11:30 am

Jerico Lutheran Church
2512 120th Street
New Hampton, IA 50659

641-394-4331

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  1. I am so very sorry to hear of Rita’s sudden passing. I was lucky to get to know her well when we worked at Lynor. We had some good laughs.

  2. My sympathies are with you Steve and Derek. She was a wonderful lady and will certainly be missed. She was just the best. Hugs and prayers are with you both 🙏🙏

  3. Light a CandleI am so sorry to hear about Rita’s passing. We went to high school together, and I remember her well. My deepest condolences to Steve and the family.

  4. Light a CandleSo sad to hear that Rita passed away. She was a classmate of mine and a good friend. She leaves a giant void in many lives. May she have rest.

  5. Steve, Derik, and Rita’s family: I am so sorry to hear about Rita’s passing. So many memories from my childhood involve times spent with you all. I know that you all shared so many wonderful times together and have wonderful memories of her to keep with you forever. I know that I do. She will surely be missed. I will keep all of you – and Rita – in my thoughts and prayers. You all have my sincere and heartfelt sympathy.

  6. Light a CandleGB, Derik, and families,
    Our hearts are breaking for your loss of Rita! We have been such close friends for over 50 years and have so many cherished memories from playing euchre until the wee hours of the morning to camping out without proper camping equipment and food supplies, and so many more! We have shared many joys and sorrows together, but loving support and comfort got us through. May God wrap you in his arms and give you comfort during this sad time. Love you guys!

    • Light a CandleRita and I were more than aquaintenses in high school, we were best friends and I stayed at her home many times! I have fond memories of those days and all the friends I had. I only wish we had kept in touch, sounds like she was well loved and She will be missed! I’m so glad she had a wonderful life! God bless the family

  7. I haven’t seen Rita for awhile, but I do remember she was always smiling and I think even understood some of my weird sense of humor. She was a joy to know. Our sympathy and prayers to all the Roberson family.

  8. Steve and family, I am so sorry to hear of Rita’s passing. She was such a nice person, always so friendly. Praying that God comforts you at this time and in the days and months ahead.

  9. Light a CandleHearts are heavy not knowing what to do without you now. Yet hearts are also filled with knowing what an amazing, kind, caring, thoughtful, and wonderful woman you always were. You will remain in hearts forever and always, sweet Reet. ❤🌹❤


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