Lois Roberton

RUSHFORD, MINN. - Lois Rickert Roberton, 87, Rushford matriarch, died on March 27, 2004. She was born October 6, 1916 to Elmer and Viola (French) Rickert in Reinbeck, Iowa. She graduated from Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Nursing School in Chicago and pursued a nursing career in Chicago and at Cornell Medical Center in New York City. She realized a life-long dream when she graduated magna cum laude from Winona State University in 1978 majoring in Independent Studies with a concentration in Theater Arts.She met Theodore S. Roberton, Sr. on a blind date on New Year's Eve 1943 in Chicago and they were married three weeks later on January 23. They moved to Rushford in 1946 were she worked at the Rushford State Bank serving as a teller and as Ted Sr.'s secretary. She was also on the Rushford State Bank board of directors.Lois' long time interest in the progress of Rushford let to service in many civic and local organizations. She was the local chairperson of Crippled Children's Association, local and county chair of the Polio Foundation during the polio epidemic in Rushford, served on the local and Fillmore County American Lung Association Board, and served as director/secretary to the Minnesota TB and Health Board for 10 years. She received a distinguished service award for her work in that organization. Lois also served as chairwoman of the Fillmore County Republican Committee. She organized and served as first president of the Rushford Federated Women's Club and sponsored the Town and Country Federated Club. Continuing her interest in the medical field, she was a lifetime area representative of the Winona Community Hospital and one of the incorporators of the Rushford Community Clinic and served on that board until her death. Lois took an active role in the development of the new clinic building in downtown Rushford. She also served on the Study Commission for Consolidating the City of Rushford and the village of Rushford. Following her graduation from Winona State University, Lois served on the organizational board of RASA, directed several one act plays, and organized the Reader's Theatre in the Rushford elementary school.Lois was a 50 year member of the Order of Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron, Grand Page of Minnesota Grand Chapter, Grand Adah of Minnesota, Grand Representative of Minnesota in Oregon Grand Chapter and of Iowa Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, and as District Instructor of Eastern Star for eight years.Lois was named Mrs. Rushford in the 2002 Homecoming Celebration and is listed in the 5th edition of the Who's Who of American Women as a result of her work in the volunteer field.Loving life and people, Lois always opened her heart and home to family and friends. She loved to dance, sing, play bridge, and all aspects of theater. But most of all, she loved her true companions, her dogs - Barney and Pepper.She is survived by one son, Theodore S. (Anne) Roberton of Rushford, and a daughter, Teryl R. (Brian) Nelson of Payson, AZ, four grandchildren: James (Michele) Roberton, Lorene (Ken) Harris, Jennifer and Philip Nelson, four great-grandchildren, Nicole and Stephanie Roberton, and Robert and Theodore Harris, sister, Faye Paulsen of Reinbeck, IA, sister-in-law, Florence Rickert of Reinbeck, IA, half-sister, Sharon Boyce of Elgin, MN and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and one brother.Visitation will be at Hoff Funeral Homes -Rushford Chapel on Tuesday, March 30 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a Lodge Service by the Mystic Star Chapter #93 immediately following. Friends may also call one hour prior to the funeral service at the church Funeral services will be at the Rushford Lutheran Church on Wednesday, March 31 at 1:00 PM with Rev. Roger Michelson officiating, with internment in the Oak Grove Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials sent to the Lois Roberton Nursing Scholarship Fund in care of the Rushford Community Foundation or a charity of your choice.