Roberta F. Werth

On August 5th, 2022, Roberta F. Werth, passed away peacefully at the age of 100.

Roberta was born October 7, 1921 on a farm near Perkins, Oklahoma to Franklin M. and Alma (Chase) West.

Shortly after her birth they moved to the family farm near Carney, Oklahoma. She lived there for the first 18 years of her life, surrounded by her loving parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. She attended and graduated from Carney High School.

After graduation, she worked in Chandler, OK as a clerk in the U.S. Agriculture Office. During that time, she became a volunteer for the American Red Cross as a First Aid Instructor. From there, she moved to Okmulgee, OK to work for the U.S. Farmers Home Administration.

During World War II, she served as a volunteer in the office of the USO and as a Nurse’s Aide at a U.S. Army Hospital caring for wounded soldiers. It was during this work that she met her future husband, Wesley H. Werth.

On October 25th, l946, she married Wes. Three children were born to this union. Larry, Susan (Rathgeber), and Tom. They were blessed with 61 years together.

Roberta joined the Lutheran Church in 1946 and has remained an active member.

Roberta was a full-time wife and mother, but she also found time to volunteer and help others. She served as Den Mother for both her sons and was Brownie and Girl Scout Leader for her daughter for 11 years.

In 1969, she became a Certified Braille Transcriber for the Library of Congress. She taught Braille classes for several years for the American Red Cross Braille Service. In 1972, she, with others, founded the Braille Work Center at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, for the Lutheran Braille Workers. She and Wes traveled all over the world as volunteers telling the blind about their Lord and Savior. She served on the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Braille Workers for 19 years and as president for 11 years.

Roberta was a Life Member of the National Braille Association. In 1978, she received the Distinguished Service Award from that organization. In May 2007, Roberta was presented with the Christus Mundo (Christ to the Nations) award by Concordia University, Irving, CA. In 2018, she became the first recipient of the Delafosse Memorial Love Through Service Award from Lutheran Braille Workers.

Roberta is preceded in death by her husband, Wesley H. Werth, her son, Larry E. Werth, her parents, Franklin and Alma West, Her brother Thomas A. West and her sisters Anna Fay Parrott (Roger), and Lois Gene Booth (Bob).

She is survived by her daughter, Susan (Ron) Rathgeber, her son, Dr. Thomas E. Werth (Karen), her daughter-in-law, Kathy Bredehoeft (Dennis). She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Brad Werth (Katie), Amy Rathgeber Brox (Dennis), Audrey Rathgeber Kloke (David), Amanda Rathgeber Sterling (Scott), Michael Manley (Sharon), Shannon Manley, Rachel Werth McDowell (Jeff), Tim Werth (Annie Lindenhovius), and Rose Werth, 14 great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

Roberta always felt that she was blessed so richly by God. First by loving parents and grandparents, and then by her husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. “Thank God for my life, family and friends.” Her favorite hymns were Amazing Grace and Abide with Me.

In lieu of flowers, it was Roberta’s wish that any remembrances be made in the form of contributions to Lutheran Braille Workers, 13471 California St, P.O. Box 5000, Yucaipa CA, 92399: for Center #71 in memoriam to Roberta Werth.

The family will have a private graveside service for Roberta at Lakeview Cemetery in Wichita KS.

On Sunday, September 4th at 3 pm, please join the family for a Memorial Service and Celebration of Roberta at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita Kansas.