Roberta C (Langdon) Wohlrabe

Mankato Mortuary
388-2202

Roberta C. (Langdon) Wohlrabe, age 93, died on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at the Sterling House of Mankato.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 10, 2011 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Amboy. Burial will be in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Amboy. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

She was born October 20, 1917 to Alice May (Brach) and Sidney Earl Langdon in Minneapolis, MN. Her early childhood was spent in the Lake Street and Chicago Avenue area of Minneapolis and she graduated from Central High School in December of 1935. In 1936 she graduated from the St. Paul Comptometer School and was subsequently employed as an office manager with the F.W. Woolworth Company in Minneapolis.

At the invitation of neighbor children Roberta became a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis where she met Lawrence Wohlrabe. They were married at Mt. Olive on August 10, 1940. In 1943, Lawrence and Roberta moved to Amboy and began their lifelong partnership in farming. While Roberta admitted to the difficult transition from "city girl' to "farm wife', she quickly embraced her new role and community and Lawrence's extended family. They raised three children while farming in the Amboy and Winnebago areas, were actively engaged in the ministries of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Amboy, and supported their children's educations in the Amboy and Winnebago schools and beyond.

Roberta's love of God was manifested in her devotion to her spouse, children, parents and in-laws, six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. In addition to her family, Roberta's identity was closely linked with the land, and she was even named the Amboy-area "Farm Wife of the Year." Her partnership in farming was "hands on' and extensive " from care of livestock to operating nearly all farm equipment and, once again, managing the "business office'.

Lawrence died in 1975 after a short illness but Roberta remained living on the family farm east of Amboy for 10 years, overseeing the operation of the farm, travelling with friends throughout the United States, and visiting her children and grandchildren. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, provided transport for friends who were no longer able to drive and enjoyed playing cards with friends in the Amboy area.

In 1985, Roberta moved to an apartment in Amboy and continued to manage her farm. When her health began to fail she moved to assisted living facilities in Mankato in 2002. Roberta's family is especially grateful to the staffs of The Sterling House, Hospice of Immanuel-St Joseph's Hospital, and Elder Care Services for their excellent and compassionate care of this contented, practical, and devoted lady. Roberta was a self-proclaimed "simple woman" who knew and spoke her mind with directness and clarity. She conversed almost daily with her children living at distance " always inquiring about the well-being of each family member.

Roberta is survived by her children: Judith Groth (Robert) of Kerrville, TX, Catherine Pederson (Dr. Gary) of Salem, OR, and the Rev. Dr. Lawrence Wohlrabe (LaJoy) of Moorhead, MN. She is also survived by her grandchildren: David Groth (Julie), the Rev. Theodore Groth (Dawn), Dr. Timothy Pederson (Dr. Deborah), Martha Anderson (Neil), Erik Wohlrabe, and Kristen Haddorff (Aaron); as well as her great-grandchildren: Victoria Monark, Alexandra Groth, Catherine Groth, Isabella Groth, Catherine Anderson, Leif Anderson, Sina Anderson, and Tait Pederson.

Roberta is also survived by two sisters-in-law and their families. Her family is very grateful to sister-in-law, Darla Mae Grefe of Fairmont, MN, and her children and grandchildren for their frequent visits to and support for Roberta during her life; and to Roberta's farm renters and friends: Gary and Jan Eisenmenger and Ken and Lynn Lentz for the stewardship of her farm.

Roberta was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence; two brothers, William and Robert; and one sister, Margaret.

Memorial gifts may be made in Roberta's name to Luther Seminary, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108; Campus Lutheran Chapel, 329 Ellis Avenue, Mankato, MN 56001-4098; St Paul's Lutheran Church of Amboy; or the charity of your choice.