Joan Roberts

Joan Barbara (Wilen) Roberts, 93, of Whiting, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 20, 2025. 

A graveside service will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Fairview Township Cemetery, Albaton, Iowa, with Pastor Trent Baker, officiating. A recording of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Joan’s obituary. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Joan was born on October 4, 1931, and grew up in rural Whiting, Iowa. She attended a country school until the third grade and then transferred to Whiting, where she graduated from high school in 1949. She married the love of her life, Richard L. Roberts, on November 18, 1949. They shared 62 beautiful years of marriage before Richard’s passing in June of 2011.

Joan enjoyed good health and an active life all the way up until her passing, following complications from a recent fall. Joan was known for her dedicated work ethic and quiet strength. She spent the majority of her professional life doing clerical work, including 13 years at Blue Cross & Blue Shield. Even in retirement, she continued to serve her community through positions at the local public libraries.

She had a love for reading, gardening, redecorating her home, and keeping in touch with family and friends. A woman of style and grace, Joan took joy in dressing up, always with her hair, nails, and makeup done just right. She had a soft spot for animals, especially her beloved dog, Molly Sue. Her family remembers her quiet demeanor, her patience, her shy smile, and her signature way of ending a story with a simple, “Anyways...”

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Roland and Florence Wilen; her husband, Richard Roberts; her son, Tracy Roberts; and her brother, Gary Wilen.

She is remembered by her loving sons, Randy Roberts, Mark Roberts of Whiting, IA, and Matthew (Kate) Roberts of Jackson, MN; her cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Stephanie Roberts (Dean Bettis and son Ryder Bettis) of Durango, CO, Nicolas Roberts (sons Jason, Ethan, & Dylan) of Ames, IA, Leah Buckley (Mike and children Jonathan Delaney, Annabelle Roberts, and Benjamin Gray) of Earling, IA, Bryce Roberts (Katie and sons Owen & Brady) of Sioux City, IA, and Corey Stump (Brad and daughters Annabell, Delaney, & Taylor) of Austin, MN; and her dear sister, Merry Clayton of Hillsboro, OR.

Joan's legacy of kindness, grace, and love for her family will live on in all who knew her.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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