Roberta Eilers

Roberta Laura Eilers of Atlantic, Iowa passed away at her home on April 16, 2007 at the age of 81. Roberta was born on April 28, 1925 in San Diego, CA to Conita Pearl Archer and Laurence Kenneth Wilcken. She grew up in San Diego and married Robert Evans on November 8, 1941 in Yuma, AZ. Their two sons, Robert & Byron, were born in San Diego during World War II. In 1948 Robert & Roberta (Berta) moved to Lakeview, OR with their two sons. Their daughter, Linda, was born there in 1949 and then they moved to Burnt Ranch, CA where Robert was also employed in the logging industry. Their last daughter, Laurie, was born in Weaverville, CA in 1954. Roberta"s husband, Robert, died in a logging accident on August 22, 1955. Roberta then moved her family back to the San Diego area where she set about raising her family in National City, CA. On February 6, 1965, Roberta married William Christoffer Eilers in San Diego, CA. After Bill retired from the San Diego Zoo, Bill and Berta moved to Atlantic, IA in May 1988. There they enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and animals visiting their home in Grove City. Roberta loved watching the growth of all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was known to them all as "Nana". For many years she documented this growth with her movie camera, catching some of their first steps, marriages and the famous Easter Egg hunts at the Eilers' residence.Roberta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Evans; her husband William Eilers on June 13, 2003; her brother, Charles Kipp; two sons-in law, Cesar Escutia and Ronald Jahnke. She is survived by four children, Robert (Eileen) Evans II of La Crosse, WI, Byron (Chris) of Tijuana, Mexico, Linda Jahnke of Abilene, KS and Laurie (Terry) Milner of Hillsboro, WI; seven grandchildren, Byron (Liz) Evans of Tooele, UT, Christopher (Keri) Jahnke of Lewis, IA, Amie (Brent) Potter of Griswold, IA, Tamie (Brad) Madsen of Kimballton, IA, Jeremy (Cindi) Jahnke of Omaha, NE, Elizabeth (Richard) Whitehurst of Arcata, CA and Michael Escutia of Elroy, WI; 13 great-grandchildren, Eric, Neil, Kody, Cam, Colby, Jordan, Chase, Logan, Tanner, Jadon, Madison, Makenna and Cade; 3 great-great grandchildren, Amber, Justice, Cheyenne; one sister-in-law, Patricia Kipp of Ventura, CA; two brothers-in-law, Edward (Georgia) Eilers of Clarksville, IA and George (Betty) Eilers of Webster City, IA; six sisters-in-law, Gesina Jungling of Applington, IA, Grace Arends of Janesville, IA, Alma (Lester) Bittenga of Clarksville, IA, Margarita March of Oelwein, IA, Adeline (Alfred) Johnson of Allison, LA and Barbara Eilers of Allison, IA; several nieces and nephews. Roberta is also survived by the brother and sisters of her first husband, Richard L. Evans of Alpine, CA, Mae Cassel of Spring Valley, CA, Leah Floyd of Red Bluff, CA Christine Colgate of Red Bluff, CA and Lois Sanger of Las Vegas, NV; several nieces and nephews.Funeral InformationIN MEMORY OF ROBERTA LAURA EILERSBorn April 28, 1925San Diego, CaliforniaENTERED INTO RESTApril 16, 2007At the age of81 Years, 11 Months, 18 DaysFUNERAL SERVICESaturday, April 21, 2007, 2:00 P.M.Roland Funeral HomeOFFICIATINGThe FamilyMUSICAL SELECTIONJim McDonoughSolo piano — With LoveBEARERS Robert Evans II Byron L. Evans Brad Madsen Brent Potter Christopher Jahnke Jeremy JahnkeMichael Escutia Terry MilnerCONCLUDING SERVICESOakwood CemeteryLewis, IowaFollowing the committal, friends and relatives are invited to attend a luncheon at the Roland Funeral Home