Roberta A. Godbersen

Roberta A. Godbersen

1931 – 2025

SCHALLER - Roberta A. Godbersen, 94, of Schaller, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2025, at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt. Msgr. Kenneth Seifried will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, is in charge of the Memorial arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Charitable donations in memory of Roberta, may be directed to The Galva and Schaller First Responders.

Roberta A. Godbersen was born on Sept. 29, 1931, to Edward and Dorothy (Siebrecht) Godbersen. She was raised in Silver Creek Township, south of Galva and Schaller. After surviving polio during her preteen years, Roberta graduated from high school and worked for several families in Sac County before attending beauty school in Fort Dodge.

Upon completing her education, Roberta returned to the area, purchased a home, and established her own business, The Arthur Charm Shop. She owned and operated the salon for most of her adult life. Known for her strong work ethic and independence, Roberta carefully saved her earnings while remaining closely connected to her parents, frequently assisting them on the family farm. In 2000, she sold her home and retired from her salon to return permanently to the family farm, where she devoted herself to caring for her mother until her death in 2003.

Following her mother’s passing, Roberta dedicated her time to her adopted family, especially attending her adopted grandchildren’s activities and events. She found great joy in gardening, canning, cooking, and sewing. Even in the summer of 2025, Roberta continued to maintain five large gardens and spent many hours outdoors tending them. She was an accomplished cook and canner, generously feeding family and friends at the farm. In her late 80s, she hosted a large family picnic so extended relatives could gather and meet family members from out of the area. Her pies, canned goods, potato salad, and triple pan-fried chicken were especially beloved and widely admired.

Roberta and her sisters were proud recipients of the Iowa Century Farm designation. She celebrated this honor by hosting friends and family at the farm and attending the official recognition ceremony at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.

During the winter months, Roberta devoted herself to sewing, quilting, and rug making, often spending hours hand-stitching quilt squares while watching The Bachelor and The Voice. She was also deeply connected to her Silver Creek neighborhood, frequently sharing garden produce, canned goods, conversation, and local news.

Above all else, Roberta’s greatest love was the family farm. Even later in life, after storms and time required the removal of her beloved apple orchard and grove, she remained committed to planting and planning for the future. She spent many hours consulting with the local ISU Extension representative and studying garden catalogs. In the spring and summer of 2025, she planted replacement fruit trees from seed, along with evergreens and decorative maples and oaks. Caring for growing things and maintaining the family home were among her greatest passions and proudest accomplishments.

Roberta is survived by her adopted family: Marty (Martha) Boyle of Holstein; Nicole Boyle of Humboldt; Katherine (Elliott), Nora, Hazel, and Hugh Smith of Okoboji; Rachel (Austin) Struchen and children Eleanor, Jack, and Luke of Holstein; Angela Livezey of Cincinnati, Ohio; and Grace (Ryan) Senden of Tea, South Dakota.

She is also survived by extended family members: Randy Alderson of Galva; Elaine (the late Kevin) Falk of Holstein; Allan Alderson of Rock Valley; Rosa Prosser, great-niece, of Riverside, California; Mike (Erin), Josif, and Misti Dawn Minta of Oklahoma; and Lester (Cristina) Linsted, nephew, along with Christian Slazar, Carlos, and Lesly Linsted, great-nephews and niece, all of Hemet, California.

In addition, she is fondly remembered by her longtime friends and neighbors: Dennis (Julie) Bennett of Galva; Kyle (Robin) Bennett and their children Kysa, Tyrel, and Sage; and Tom (Jan) Goettsch of Galva, longtime friends and tenants of her farm.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Dorothy Godbersen; her sisters, Hazel Linsted and Beverly (Don) Alderson; her close friend, Florence Stevenson; and numerous relatives from the Godbersen and Siebrecht families.