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Roberta Johnson

Roberta Ann Johnson, age 83, of River Falls, WI passed away peacefully on Friday, May 18, 2018 at Red Cedar Canyon in Hudson, WI. Roberta was born April 20, 1935 in El Paso, WI to Robert and Ruth (Peterson) Halvorson. She graduated from River Falls High School, the Class of 1953. On August 7, 1954 she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Lyle Peter Johnson. Together they raised their family and farmed in rural River Falls for 60 years. Dedicated farmers and community members, Roberta and Lyle were proud to have conserved their farm with the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. Some of their favorite time together was getting in their gator and going down to the river to take in the beauty of nature.

Roberta loved her family well, and treasured her time with her biggest joy, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was their biggest fan, never missing a sporting event or other activities they were involved in. Roberta loved football, watching and talking football, and cheering on her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the Minnesota Vikings. She attended her grandson’s football games from middle school through college. Her devoted, gracious, and caring heart made her a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and foster mother. Among her many hobbies and interests were gardening, reading (especially enjoying historical biographies), and playing cards. Roberta always looked forward to Friday nights spending time with her neighbors and friends and playing a good hand of poker. Roberta loved decorating for the holidays and making sure that they were special for her family. She was a devoted member of Ezekiel Lutheran Church and St. Croix Homemaker’s Club, as well as a 4-H Leader.

Roberta was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Johnson; parents, Robert and Ruth Halvorson; and infant sister, Sharon.

Roberta will remain in the hearts of her children, Kimaley (John) Stapleton of River Falls, WI, Jill (Mark) La Rue of Hudson, WI, Sally (Elliott) Bradley of McKinney, TX, and Lyle “Hal” (Jeanne) Johnson of River Falls, WI; grandchildren: John (Janet) Stapleton, Kyle (Heidi) Stapleton, Michelle La Rue-Buyarski (Chris Buyarski), Christina (Derek) Chapman, Andrew Kessler, Tanner Johnson, Hallie Johnson and Brooke Johnson; great-grandchildren: Lane, Ellen, Lillian, David, and Lauren Stapleton and Nicholas Chapman; sister, Dorothy (Bob) Smith of River Falls, WI.

A Celebration of Life for Roberta Johnson will take place at 11:00 AM Thursday, May 31st at Ezekiel Lutheran Church, 202 South Second Street, River Falls. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held 4:00 – 7:00 PM Wednesday, May 30th at the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 225 South Third Street, River Falls, and one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday. A time of fellowship will immediately follow the service. Interment will take place at the Mann Valley Cemetery in River Falls, WI. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home of River Falls, WI (715) 425-5644