Roberta E. Stevens

Roberta E. “Bert” Stevens, 69, of Newton, died Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, at Accura Healthcare of Newton East. A celebration of Bert’s life will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Moose Lodge in Newton. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Moose Lodge or the Jasper County Animal Rescue Society may be left at the celebration or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Bert, the daughter of Lawrence and Opal (McCumber) Meador, was born May 24, 1950, in Iowa City. She grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School. Roberta was united in marriage with Roger L. Stevens Sept. 12, 1969, in Newton. She worked as the head of housekeeping at the Best Western in Newton, at the Jasper County Animal Rescue League and in customer service at local retail stores. Roberta enjoyed spoiling her grandkids, being outdoors and spending time with her large family and many friends. She also liked to bowl and play Bingo at the Moose Lodge.

Bert is survived by her children, Roger (Penny) Stevens of Hazelton, Lisa (Bryan) Gray of Newton and Clarissa (Matthew) Stilwell of Eldora; seven grandchildren, Amanda (Scott) Pender of Newton, Brian Stevens of Newton, Jon Mikel Gray of Marshalltown, Cal Beller of Eldora, Valyn Beller of Eldora, Chloe Stilwell of Ackley and Bailey Stilwell of Ackley; her great-granddaughter, Emma; siblings, Jerry (Lois) Meador of Mississippi, Sylvia (John) Glaspie of Davenport, Sue (Bob) Chanceller of North Carolina, Richard (Mercy) Meador of Newton and Dennis (Donna) Meador of Newton; and her many well-loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roger; and three sisters, Eva, Norma and Joan.

According to Bert, strangers were just friends she hadn’t met yet!