Roberta E. Mahoney

Roberta E. Mahoney, 84, of Oelwein, Iowa died on Saturday morning, August 24, 2013 at her home surrounded by her family.

Mass of the Resurrection: 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Fairbank, Iowa; Officiating: Rev. Paul C. McManus and Deacon Jim Patera; Visitation: from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein, Iowa where there will be a Parish Scripture Service at 7:00 P.M. Wednesday evening; Interment: Greenwood Cemetery in rural Westgate, Iowa.

Memorials may be given in her name to the American Cancer Society or to Cedar Valley Hospice.
Online Obituary at: www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Roberta Eileen Kane was born on May 10, 1929 at Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Louis E. and Doris Marguerite (Ritchie) Kane. She graduated from Maynard High School at Maynard, Iowa in 1947, received her B.A. from Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1951 and then her masters degree plus 30 hours from Colorado State University. Roberta married Clare S. Mahoney on June 13, 1955 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at Fairbank, Iowa. She taught country school in Fayette County, Iowa, 3 years at Postville, 1 year at Strawberry Point and Tama, was a elementary teacher for 5 years at Omaha Public Schools, elementary teacher for 2 years at Gothenberg , Nebraska, was a principal at Papillion and G. Stanley Hall schools in Nebraska and retired as principal at Fairfax County Schools at Fairfax, Virginia after 25 years. After moving to Oelwein, she also taught at Upper Iowa University at Fayette, Iowa. Roberta loved teaching reading, learning and teaching sign language. Roberta and Clare adopted Meera in 1984 and they loved traveling east, west, north and south. She had a great love for bridge and belonged to several bridge clubs in Oelwein and Independence. Roberta was very proud of her Ford 150 truck. Roberta owned and operated Oelwein Design and Gallery of Art, a very colorful and successful enterprise in Oelwein for the past 4 years. She was past president of the Oelwein Community School board for 3 years, past president of the Oelwein Lions Club and was the secretary for the Fayette county Republican Central Committee. She had a great love for helping children and adults with learning problems and was active in the American Literacy Council. Roberta was very active in the catholic church, was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Rita #321, loved dancing to big bands, especially Sammy Kaye, Guy Lombardo and Lawrence Welk. She participated in six inaugural balls in Washington D.C. and at one ball sat at the table of George Romney-father of Mitt Romney. Roberta visited the Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and Herbert Hoover libraries. She had a strong belief of Freedom over Socialism, small central government and lowering taxes.

Roberta is survived by her Husband of 58 years--Clare S. Mahoney of Oelwein, Iowa
Daughter--Meera Mahoney of Oelwein, Iowa
Sister--Patricia (Larry) Stohr of Oelwein, Iowa
2 Brothers--Ritchie (Ann) Kane of Westgate, Iowa and Dennis Kane of Victorville, California
Nieces and Nephews
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother (Larry Kane), 2 sisters-in-law (Barbara Kane and Bettina Kane), uncle (Robert Ritchie) and 2 aunts (Lois Sok and Frances Leitke).

Roberta was a loving wife and mother who will be sorely missed.