DR. ROBBERTA MESENBRINK

Dr. Robberta Mesenbrink was born April 23, 1939, in Hinsdale, Ill. to Wilhelm Robbert and Vera Louise (Andermann) Mesenbrink. She departed this world at Kabul Nursing Home in Cabool, Mo. June 2, 2024, at the age of 85 years, one month, and 10 days.

With sisters Gretchen and Janis, she grew up in Hinsdale where she attended grade school at Zion Lutheran School. The family moved to Kirkwood, Mo. where she completed grade school and high school. She entered Valparaiso University and then went on to graduate school at Women’s College in Greensboro, N.C. She taught PE at Smith High School in Greensboro. After additional education she became an administrator, as one of the three principals at Smith. She earned her doctorate in 1971 from the University of North Carolina. She remained in the UNC-G system until her retirement, but always enjoyed her visits to the family farm in Cabool, Mo. every chance she had.

Upon retirement she decided to move back to the Ozarks and purchased a home in Rockaway Beach, Mo. across the street from her sister, Janis and brother-in-law, Don. Robberta was not one to sit back watching the world go by and she never met a stranger in her life. She was active in her church, Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church and many women’s groups such as the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. In Rockaway Beach she worked with the Museum and Library Boards, the Chamber of Commerce, Parks and Recreation and Water and Sewer and Community Development Association. The White River Valley Historical Society was her big love.

She enjoyed touring and filming historical sites and locating cemeteries and restoring the headstones. She was recognized for these efforts and was named Woman of the Year by Beta Sigma Phi and Volunteer of the Month and Volunteer of the Quarter by the White River Valley Historical Society. Robberta enjoyed filming her brother-in-law, Don Hobbs, at the tractor pulls and playing string instruments with her sister Janis, especially the dulcimer. She loved to oil paint and share them with churches, family and friends. She loved to share stories of floating the Piney River with her brother-in-law Lester and her many adventures on the family farm.

Having no children of her own she was a magnet to kids of all ages, and they loved her dearly. She was involved in the UNC-G Day Camp and every year she would have one of her nephews come to spend the summer, they would go to the day camp and to Robberta’s cabin in the mountains. They would swim, hike, pick berries and bathe in a waterfall of cold spring fed mountain water, creating memories that someday would be shared with their own children.

Robberta was preceded in death by her two beloved sisters, Janis and Gretchen. She is survived by her five nephews, Andy, Mike and Roy Knapp, Jim and Bill Wilborn and niece Marianne Wilborn. Robberta will be missed by family and friends. She was smart, caring, witty and as one of her neighbors said, unique. She had the warmest hugs, the biggest smile and a helping hand to any and all in need.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 5 at the funeral chapel. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 6 at Knapp Family Cemetery near Cabool, Mo. with Mikey Wilke officiating. Pallbearers are Andy Knapp, Mike Knapp, Matthew Knapp, Ethan Knapp, Kevin Reed and Michael Knapp. Honorary pallbearers are Roy Knapp and Jim Wilborn. Interment will be in the Knapp Family Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Gentry-Carder Funeral Home of Cabool. Online condolences may be made at www.egcfuneralhome.com.

PAID

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