Memorial service for Roberta Ann “Bert” Willis were held Sept. 18, 2018, at Deer Park United Methodist Church, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Noyes Home or Deer Park United Methodist Church.
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Bert was the daughter of Robert and Rue (Plunkett) Mitchell born on Oct. 4, 1935, in Grant City, Worth County. She grew up in Worth County and was a graduate of Grant City High School in 1953.
She went to business school in St. Joe and then worked in her uncle, Dr. D.E. Mitchell’s medical office in Mt. Ayr, IA. She subsequently moved to St. Joseph and attended beauty college there. She was a hairdresser for many years and owned her own business.
She married Dorman “Willie” Willis, the love of her life, on June 11, 1966. They were such a well-matched pair. Together they raised four daughters. Pam, Paula, Peggy and Penny. Roberta also had another daughter, Julie, who was raised by her adoptive parents.
Bert’s life was very full of love, laughter, friends and many, many shenanigans and adventures. She enjoyed bowling so much that she switched careers in the 1970’s to work at Olympia Lanes bowling alley in St. Joseph until she retired from her full-time job there. She also traveled the country to participate in bowling tournaments. It has often been thought that Bert knew most everyone in Northwest Missouri and certainly in St. Joseph. She never knew a stranger and drew all her acquaintances into her heart. Her and Willie also loved to fish and spent many happy hours at Big Lake and Grand Lake, OK, with family and with friends fishing and making precious memories.
She was also a participator in many worthy causes and events. She joined Sertoma Club of St. Joseph in 2003. During her 16 years membership she served as president and sergeant of arms. In Sertoma she was passionate about her fundraiser “Bert’s Bucks” which other members named “Bert’s Racket!”
Bert was such a joyful person and never slowed down. She was happiest when she was busy and on the go. And GO she did! She always had someplace to be and something to do. Bert could never be described as demure. She was ornery and such a fun-loving character and was known to pull a few pranks. She loved to laugh and had the funniest sense of humor, especially about her own escapades!
She was preceded in death by her husband Willie and her parents.
Survivors include her daughters, Pam (Jim) Tapee of St. Joseph, Paula (John) Shelly of Dallas, TX, Peggy (Kevin) Cluck, Penny Willis of St. Joseph, and Julie Adams of North Dakota; brother, Gene Mitchell, Gallatin; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several loving cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws; and let’s not forget about all of her friends that adopted Bert as a mother, momma, grand-momma, sister and aunt. Bert had riches that most don’t get to enjoy…she was well loved by MANY.