Kathleen Marie Roberts

Kathleen M. Roberts, age 77 of Park Rapids, Minnesota, formerly of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, died on December 1, 2023, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Park Rapids, Minnesota. Visitation will be on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel. A Memorial Service will be held at Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel, on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 3:00 pm. The clergy will be Fr. Mark Steffl. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 11:00 am at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church in Nevis, Minnesota with visitation one hour before the service.

Kathleen “Kathy” Marie Roberts, the daughter of Engelbert “E.A.” and Veronica “Fronie” (Trost) Wagner, was born on December 25, 1945, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. She was raised in Sleepy Eye and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in 1963. On September 17, 1963, Kathy married the love of her life, Jack A. Roberts of Sleepy Eye. They were blessed with three children, Lori, Mark, and Jenny. Over the years, Kathy and Jack lived in Sleepy Eye, New Ulm, Montgomery, and most recently in Nevis. She was an active member of Lady of The Pines Church in Nevis, MN.

Throughout the years, Kathy worked at a variety of jobs, starting with Haas Bakery while in high school. After moving to the Nevis area, she enjoyed working in the housekeeping, laundry, and kitchen departments at St. Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids. When she wasn’t working, Kathy enjoyed sharing stories with her family about her childhood. She talked fondly about going to work with her dad, who worked for Chicago and Northwestern railroads where she got to travel the countryside and blow the train whistle. Kathy was often found drinking coffee and visiting with friends. She loved being out in nature, traveling, and going on many camping trips. She was known by many for her delicious baking and cooking. What Kathy loved most of all, however, was being a homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved her family dearly and cherished the time she spent with her beloved grandchildren.

Over the last few years, Kathy lived with dementia and in April of this year, she moved to Diamond Willow Assisted Living.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jack Roberts; children, Lori (Mike) Sanwick, Mark (Laarni) Roberts, and Jenny (Randy) Avenson; grandchildren, Nicole Hansen, Jacob (Autumn) Stueber, Kayla Stueber, Kenzie Stueber, Ashley (David) Buck, Josh (Angela) Roberts, Sara Roberts, Emily Avenson, Hunter Avenson, Paul Avenson and Kate Avenson; nine great-grandchildren with one on the way; and other loving relatives and friends.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, E.A. and Fronie Wagner; brothers, James and her twin Patrick; stepsiblings, Raymond Wagner, Delores Klein, Mable Cunningham, and Arlene Zinae; and mother and father-in-law, William and Isabelle Roberts.