Louis L. Roberts, was born on August 7, 1935, at his parents’ home on the farm in Gove County, Kansas. He passed away February 25, 2023, at the age of 87,
Louis attended elementary school in Gove, finished in a country school in the county, and attended and graduated from High School in 1953 in Quinter, Kansas. He spent the following summer in Puerto Rico on a mission with the Church of the Brethren, returning in the fall to attend college at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. In June of the following year, Louis married his high school sweetheart, JoAnn (Crissman) Roberts in Quinter. They returned to McPherson where Louis continued his college education and was starting center for the McPherson Bulldogs, graduating in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture.
After graduation, Louis and JoAnn moved to Norton County where they farmed and had a dairy. When Louis’ parents had a major car accident, Louis, JoAnn, and first daughter, Belinda, born in 1958, moved back to Quinter. Daughter Nanette was born there in 1961 and the family moved back to Norton County to farm. They bought a homestead owned by Walt and Alice Hotz and moved into the two story farmhouse. On January 12, 1968, the farmhouse burned to the ground with Louis saving only a chair and a small file cabinet. The network of friends, family, and church surrounded the family and with Louis’ stubbornness and strength of will, they rebuilt their farm and life and remained on that farm north of Almena for the next 25 years.
In 1967 after injuring his leg from a horse riding accident, Louis began reading aviation magazines and as JoAnn says, that started his journey that would last a lifetime. Louis learned to fly from Delvis Miller and spent a short time as a crop duster, flew air ambulance, was a flight instructor, and reached the final rating for pilots with his jet pilot’s license he maintained the rest of his life. He became known as the “Flying Farmer” serving as a corporate pilot for Buford Van Loenen, Baird Oil, and finishing his career flying a King Air 200 for Valley Hope Alcoholics Association for 18 years, retiring at the age of 70.
Louis and JoAnn spent the next 15 years travelling annually to Tucson, Arizona, in their fifth wheel RV for 3 months spending time with Louis’ brother and wife, Dr. Melvin and Virginia Roberts. He enjoyed working on the farm with his son-in-law, Kent Thalheim and grandsons Austin and Avery Thalheim and their families, and great-grandsons Kenton, Gavin, and Taiton.
Louis is survived by wife of 68 years, JoAnn (Crissman) Roberts of the home; daughters Belinda (Kent) Thalheim; Nanette (Terri Emley) Roberts; Grandsons Austin (Angela) Thalheim, and Avery (Jessie) Thalheim; and Great-Grandsons Kenton, Gavin, and Taiton Thalheim; Brother Dr. Melvin (Virginia) Roberts; Nieces Diana (Steve) Calderoni, Chris (Margo) Roberts, and Teema (Doug) Roberts.
Louis was predeceased by his parents, Dale and Elsie Roberts; brother, Dennis Roberts; and beloved nieces Dawn Roberts and Susan Roberts.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 am Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the funeral home. Private family burial will be at the Norton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 pm Tuesday, February 28, also at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Norton County EMS or the Ellis County EMS and may be sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com