Bernita Marilyn Roberts

Bernita M. Roberts, age 89, of Amboy, died Monday, February 8, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Amboy United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Kocher officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 at the church on Friday. Burial will be at Sterling Cemetery in Sterling Township. Olson-Tichenor Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bernita was born April 9, 1926. She was the only child of Floyd and Mabel (Brynsvold) Ratcliffe. She graduated from Amboy High School in 1944 and from Wells Teacher’s Training. On October 18, 1947, Bernita was united in marriage to Kenneth Lloyd Roberts and together they had 3 children: Marilyn, Joann, and Donna.

Bernita taught country school in Willow Creek near Amboy. Bernita had many fond memories of her childhood’s family gatherings with the Brynsvolds, Ratcliffes, and Starkweathers and extended families. Bernita was a housewife, mother, farm hand when needed, and she worked seasonally for a number of years at Stokely Van Camp in Winnebago. She enjoyed playing Hawaiian guitar, collecting coins, going out for coffee, canning and particularly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Bernita loved to bake and was well-known for her scalloped potatoes, her angel food cakes, and pies.

Bernita spent the last several years at Hillcrest Health Care Center in Mankato, where she made many new friends with other residents, as well as the staff. She loved participating in the various activities – whether it was worship services, parties, or playing bingo. But her greatest enjoyment was still spending time with her family.

Bernita is survived by daughters: Marilyn (Frank) Aspen, St. Paul; Joann Otting, Le Sueur; Donna Smith, Amboy; sister-in-law, Mildred Davis, Amboy; niece, Jodell Kruse, Ramsey; 7 grandchildren: Brian (Jennifer) Aspen, Melissa Aspen (special friend, Pete DeRosier), Blake (Krista) Otting, Kelsey (Adam) McConkey, Sarah Blakesley (special friend, Nick Hollerich), Rachel (Mike) Mitchell, and Luke Blakesley; and 8 great-grandchildren: Mason, Nolan, & Wyatt, Gabriel, Kaiden, Abby and Ryan, and Mayson.

Bernita was preceded in death by her parents, by her husband Kenneth (husband of 64 years), son-in-law Jim Otting, brother-in-law Dwight Davis, and nephew Mike Kruse.