Roberta Flatland

Born on March 17, 1943, Bobbie brought joy, warmth, and a bit of sparkle to anyone lucky enough to know her.

In addition to being a full time mom and entrepreneur, Bobbie kept busy with a variety of volunteer positions and loved to be of service- from room mother duties and PTA at Crow Island school, various committees at Winnetka Presbyterian Church, Winnetka Women’s Club, and Winnetka Antiques and Modernism shows, she always gave it her all for organizations and causes important to her. She even advocated for and served as a resident representative on the board at her nursing home where she and Tom lived their last years.

A true lover of all things Christmas, she made the season unforgettable with her legendary hand painted plaster ornaments, lovingly crafted and shared year after year. Each one told a story, held a memory, and carried her unmistakable touch of creativity and care.

Her annual holiday cookie exchange party was a cherished tradition—a celebration of community, laughter, and her famous “Moose Milk”, a festive concoction that became as iconic as Bobbie herself. Those lucky enough to know Bobbie knew it wasn’t truly the holidays until they’d celebrated friendships at the cookie exchange, been to her annual holiday crafts bazaar, or simply had a moment at Bobbie’s side, basking in her warmth and wit.

Bobbie’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted wife to her beloved Tom, loving mother to Heather Farnham (Mark), Holly Briggeman (Jeff), and Tim Flatland (Ashley), and a proud and doting grandmother to Jensen, Hannah, Maia, Owen, Sophie, Luke, Ben, Tatum, Vivi, Jack, and Eloise. Each of them carries a piece of her kindness, creativity, and holiday spirit.

She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Though she is no longer with us in person, her legacy lives on in every twinkling light, every shared cookie, and every lovingly hung ornament.

A celebration of Bobbie’s life will be held at Winnetka Presbyterian Church Saturday, November 22nd at 2:00 P.M. An informal gathering will follow to honor her and kick off the holiday season that she loved so much.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Bobbie by sharing your favorite holiday memory with someone you love, making a donation to Lewy Body Dementia at Dementia Society, or perhaps raising a glass of Moose Milk in her memory.