Roberta Stein

Roberta Stein, 91, of Peoria, passed away on Tuesday, January 1, 2025 at Bickford of Peoria. She was born on November 7, 1933 in Anchor, a daughter of Fred William Riecks and Edith (Taylor) Riecks. Roberta married David Jerome Stein on June 5, 1955 in Anchor. He preceded her in death on February 11, 2005 in Peoria.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; one granddaughter, Samantha Jo; one brother, Kenneth Riecks; and one sister, Vauna Jones.

Roberta is survived by her five children, Cheryl Walker of Peoria, Dennis Stein(Laura) of Mesa, Arizona, David Stein of Peoria, Cindy Stein (Mo) of Bonita Springs, Florida and Sandra Stein of Atlanta, Georgia; four grandchildren, Jenn Stein, Allison Gray(Johnny), Jessica Hodge (John) and Kelsey Veldhuizen (Eli); six great-grandchildren Jack, Natalia, Clara, Teddy Gray; Beatrice, Athanasius Hodge and two sisters, Shirley Wright (Ron) and Karolyn Estes (Wayne).

She graduated from Saybrook High School, Class of 1951. Roberta attended Mennonite School of Nursing in Bloomington and Illinois State University in Normal.

She first worked as a bookkeeper for Anchor Grain Company from 1952 to 1955. Roberta went on to work various jobs but she is best known for owning and operating the Karmelkorn Shoppe in Northwoods Mall in Peoria from 1974 to 2008. She and her husband also owned and operated eight Swiss Colony stores from 1978 to 1982. They also sponsored one of the most successful ASA Girls Softball Team, Peoria Karmelkorn. The majority of these players went on to have tremendous collegiate athletic careers.

Roberta was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Peoria. She was extremely active in the church and loved her fellowship in the Women’s Circle Group and Quilting Club.

Her greatest joy was her children and being a very active part of their activities especially the athletic events where she was a proud parent and fan.

Roberta's visitation will be on Tuesday, January 7th from 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m. at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria followed by the funeral service at 1:30 p.m. Vicar Kevin Eack will officiate. Burial will take place in Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Susan G. Komen at https://www.komen.org or American Diabetes Association at https://diabetes.org/ or the Women's Basketball Fund, Women's Softball Fund or Women's Volleyball Fund care of Illinois Central College Athletics Educational Foundation at https://epay.icc.edu/C20866_ustores/web/store_cat.jsp?STOREID=24&CATID=80&SINGLESTORE=true

Online condolences may be shared with Roberta's family at www.Woolsey-Wilton.com