Ruth Roberts

Hastings resident Ruth Ann Roberts, 82, passed away Thursday, April 5, 2018, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, NE.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 14, at First United Methodist Church in Hastings with Pastor Greg Lindenberger officiating. Private family burial of cremains will be at the Aurora Cemetery in Aurora, NE. Memorials may be given to Ruth Ann Roberts Memorial Fund. There will be no viewing or visitation.

Ruth Ann was born June 21, 1935, in Wahoo, NE to M. Harold & Irene (McDougal) Barker. She graduated from Wahoo High School, and attended Kearney State Teachers College, now known as the University of Nebraska Kearney, where she belonged to the Zeta Sorority. Ruth Ann married Rodney R. Roberts on March 11, 1955, in Lexington, NE.

Ruth Ann was employed as a Library Paraeducator at Hastings Public Elementary Schools, and a member of the Hasting Area Retired School Professionals group. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church since 1961, and belonged to the United Methodist Women, Circle 2. At different times, Ruth Ann was in the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir, served on the Memorials Committee, and co-founded and was active in the Prayer Shawl Ministry. She co-founded the annual nativity set figurine making and painting project for Sunday School children and volunteered with Advent Workshops and Vacation Bible School activities.

Known for her laughter and loving ways, Ruth Ann cherished her family, friends, neighbors and coffee groups. Her varied community interests included singing in the local Sweet Adelines, playing in a dulcimer group, enjoying concerts and travels with her husband for Chorus of the Plains barbershop singing, in addition to Dixieland, Ragtime piano, Brass and Big Band performances. An avid reader, Ruth Ann was a member of a YWCA book club, and always had a book within reach. Other interests included an embroidery guild, knitting, tatting, counted cross-stitch, tole painting, cake decorating, candle making, ceramics and many other handcrafts. Tent camping and vacations in campgrounds, state and national parks in the central U.S. and Canada, brought her much enjoyment, as did fishing, and feeding ducks and squirrels. Trips to England and Scotland with friends were travel highlights.

Ruth Ann was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rodney R. Roberts; sister, Marilyn (Barker) Fredrich; and infant grandchildren, Elizabeth and Michael Roberts.

Survivors include her son, Russ Roberts and partner Robert Reddish, Lincoln, NE; son, Craig Roberts and husband Jean-Luc Javert, Guernsey, WY; granddaughter and spouse Sarah (Roberts) and Shane Lavy, great-grandchildren Sienna and Raylan Lavy; and former daughter-in-law Catherine Corbet, Lincoln, NE; Brother-in-law and spouse David and Micki Roberts of Schuyler, NE; Sister-in-law and spouse Leslie (Roberts) and Cary Lee, Gypsum, CO; a niece and three nephews, and many friends and colleagues.