Roberta Lucille Gardner

Roberta Gardner, 95, of Columbia, MO passed away Thursday, April 5, 2018. Funeral service will be 3pm, Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at Memorial Funeral Home 1217 Business loop 70 West Columbia with visitation from 2-3pm. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Roberta was born August 24, 1922 in Southern Boone County, MO to Proctor and Ella Pitts Pace. She grew up in the Ashland/Englewood area and was a 1940 graduate of Ashland High School where she developed her love for sports. On February 3, 1946, she married John W. Gardner, in Columbia; he preceded her in death in 1996. Roberta spent a majority of her career working for Shelter Insurance in the home office, and later for a local agent. She enjoyed traveling with her husband, and spending time at the family’s lake house. She was an avid basketball fan, liked to read, work jigsaw puzzles and enjoyed time with her children, grandkids and great-grandkids.

Roberta is survived by her children, Milenna (Steve) Hulett of Vandalia, MO and Russ (Veda) Gardner of Kansas City, MO; sisters, Ella Mae Glascock and Pauline White of Ashland, MO; grandchildren, Brian (Jennifer) Hulett, Amanda (Scott) Cooper, Brad (Shannon) Hulett, and Brooke Gardner; seven great grandchildren, Caitlyn, Chase, and Gracie Hulett, and Ethan, Jace, Ryan, and Nick Cooper. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sisters, Dorothy Nichols and Della Faye Pauley; and brothers, MD Pace and Lahman Pace.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association.