Her memorable life began on February 19, 1940 in Elgin, Iowa when she was born to Violet Geneva Ruroden and Robert Eldon Barker. She grew up in Iowa with her siblings, Duane Barker, Diana Jennings, Sheila Solheim, Cynthia “Cindy” Corbin, and Rosemary “Rosie” Thomas. As she followed her path in life, the special bond of love she had for her siblings always remained strong and close to her heart. Life and miles may have separated them, but her love knew no distance.
Roberta Barker’s magical love story began at a high school baseball game when she met the love of her life, one of the baseball player’s, Elwood Leaon Kuhens. She, a high school basketball player, was crushing on this cute baseball player and gushing about how cute he was to her friend, yet not knowing that his father was sitting behind her! Roberta married the love of her life, Elwood Leaon Kuhens, in Wadena, Iowa on May 29, 1957 and the two began their loving family.
Roberta and Elwood had three daughters: Brenda Kuhens, Dawnette “Dawn” Davis, Tamara “Tammy” Stolle. Roberta was a dedicated and caring mother who adored her daughters. Her loving selfless ways brought continual light to her family.
Professionally, she became a talented Cosmetologist and began her journey at Rose-Mar College of Beauty in Mesa, Arizona and graduated on July 14, 1964. For several years, she owned her own Beauty shop on the lower level of their family home, which her husband renovated for her, in Elgin, Iowa. She worked in various Beauty shops over the years as they moved from state to state. Later in her professional career, she also evaluated Beauty Schools for accreditation in Arizona, mainly in the surrounding areas of Mesa and Phoenix. Growing up, Roberta had a passion to style hair; she loved to do her sisters’ hair for dances and special events and would continue this tradition even for her daughters and granddaughters. Even after retiring, she continued to style the hair of her family members throughout her life.
Other than loving her family and friends so dearly, Roberta loved the ocean, lighthouses, picking out the perfect card, watching basketball, baking, cooking, camping, Elvis, Dallas Cowboys, maple cookies, rhubarb pie, and original cheesecake. She enjoyed driving, which was a passion passed down from generations of Barker family stock car racing. Roberta loved to express her inner thoughts and feelings through creative writing with an emphasis on poetry.
Roberta was a distinguished member of the International Society of Poets. From her talent of creative poetry writing, a poem of Roberta’s was published in the book, Daybreak On The Land. The published poem that she wrote is as follows:
Memories Of Christmas
“A lonely green bow
under the tree, where pretty
presents used to be.
Brings back memories
of laughter and cheer.
Beautiful flocked tree
stands all alone, all loved
ones have gone home.
Tears falling down my
cheeks, recalling memories
and seeing that lonely
green bow under the tree” (226).
Roberta had five beautiful granddaughters that she loved and spoiled so much: Destiny Warren, Tana Seay, Desirae Bickle, Kiersten Stolle, and Kiarra Stolle. She also became an incredible great-grandma to five great-grandkids: Jensen Seay, Sophia “Sophie” Bickle, Cassidee “Cassie” Bickle, Faith Warren, and Colette Seay.
A true gift from above, Roberta was a loving wife, mother, grandma, great-grandma, sister and friend! She had genuine compassion and care for others. She was always an incredible listener with the gift of encouragement. She was selfless and loved to make everyone happy; even if it meant inconveniencing herself. Her life was a true example of love and kindness. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She embraced life with optimistic, humor, and joy. Her family absolutely meant the world to her and she meant the world to her family!
Roberta is survived by her: daughters: Brenda Kuhens of Henderson, Nevada, Dawnette (Leroy) Davis of Apache Junction, Arizona, Tamara (Kevin) Stolle of Round Rock,Texas; Grandchildren: Destiny (Justin) Warren of Gold Canyon, Arizona, Tana (Brandon) Seay of Henderson, Nevada, Desirae (Glenn) Bickle of Gilbert, Arizona, Kiersten Stolle of Round Rock, Texas and Kiarra Stolle of Round Rock, Texas; Great-Grandchildren: Jensen Seay of Henderson, Nevada, Sophia Bickle of Gilbert, Arizona, Cassidee Bickle of Gilbert, Arizona, Faith Warren of Gold Canyon, Arizona, and Colette Seay of Henderson, Arizona; Siblings: Diana (Dean) Jennings of Tacoma, Washington, Sheila (Philip) Solheim of Clermont, Iowa, Cynthia Corbin of Elgin, Iowa, and Rosemary (Roger) Thomas of Elkader, Iowa; Sister-in-law: Gloria Barker of Elgin, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Elwood Leaon Kuhens, both of her parents, Violet Geneva and Robert Eldon Barker, and her brother, Duane Merlin Barker.
Arrangements entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Funeral Care. Due to the COVID -19 pandemic, a small immediate family celebration of life will be held on their anniversary, May 29, 2021.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18