Wayne R. Roberts
Wayne R. Roberts, 92, Lake Mills, passed away Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020 at MercyOne North Iowa, Mason City. A memorial visitation will be held Sunday, Feb. 16, from 2-4 p.m. at Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills. Military honors will be conducted by the Otto Chose American Legion Post #235 at the end of visitation. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.
Wayne Richard Roberts was born on June 25, 1927 in North Platte, Neb., to parents Fred Colburn and Ethel (Dressler) Roberts. He graduated from Brule High School, Brule, Neb.
Wayne enlisted in the United State Army on June 28, 1946. He served overseas during WWII, and was honorably discharged Oct. 28, 1947.
On Nov. 27, 1948, Wayne was married to Francis Emma Jane Griffiths in Ogallala, Neb.
Wayne was employed as a high-line installer/repairman and later as a telephone construction manager. With the nature of Wayne’s career, the family moved frequently (over 50 moves in 14 years.) In 1967, they relocated to Thompson, where Wayne took a position with the RTA, later WCTA, moving to Lake Mills in 1970. He retired after 22 years with WCTA.
Wayne’s hobbies included fishing for walleye at their property in Red Lake, Minn., collecting things such as barbed wire and highline insulators, gardening, and using his chainsaw. Wayne liked to prove his independence to his family-mowing his lawn, moving snow, driving uptown and cutting trees well into his late 80s.
Survivors include his sons: Jerry (Linda Giese) Roberts, Mason City; and Steve (Deb) Roberts, Lake Mills; grandchildren: Mike Larson, Stacy (John) League, Wade (Jen) Roberts, and Jason (Michele) Roberts; seven great-grandchildren; sisters- and brothers-in-law: Edith (Dennis) Ekdahl, Harold (Shirley) Griffiths, and Sam Connell; as well as many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ethel; wife, Emma Jane; two grandchildren: Jarrett Roberts and Angela Roberts; two sisters: Lois (Eugene) Griffiths and Lorna (Dick) Hanson; and two brothers: Bob Roberts and Richard Roberts in infancy.
