Roberta Jean Newcomer, age 85, of WaKeeney, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital. She was born January 21, 1936, to Brighton and Ruth (Adkinson) Arnold in Hays, Kansas. Roberta was united in marriage to Dale Newcomer on August 8, 1954, in WaKeeney, and they were married for 66 years.
Roberta “Bert” had numerous interests, hobbies, and passions. However, if you knew Bert well, boy oh boy did she love sports. Whether it was never missing a track meet to watch her boy's high jump or screaming at the refs on TV during a KU basketball game, the girl was competitive. She and Dale were known to fly across the country at the last minute to attend a grandchild’s playoff game! Bert was an avid golfer who was quietly “over-competitive.” If you played against her in the local woman’s golf league, let’s just say you were talked about a bit ugly over dinner, especially if you beat her that day. She very much hated cheating, and only allowed it in her life if it was Dale while playing dominos. Bert was an avid runner up to the age of 80!! Most everyone in WaKeeney has almost run her over when the crazy girl would be out at 6:00 am in January with a wind chill of 10 degrees.
Bert attended Fort Hays State University and played oboe in the marching band. She loved music! She was an avid pianist and was also an excellent vocalist. In her younger years, she played the trumpet and violin along with the piano and oboe. Bert was very active in the local community. She was past president of the CT-PEO Sisterhood. She and Dale were avid bridge players and loved the friendships they developed within this area of life.
She was married very shortly after college to her husband Dale and initially worked at First Federal. She and Dale eventually became local business owners and they owned and operated the Gambles hardware store for many years. Most all true local Wakeeney-ites were patrons of the store and we all loved seeing them at the store along with their faithful basset hound dogs. Bert and Dale owned the Newcomer Furniture store along with their son Rex for the past 30 years. The entire Newcomer family always considered it an honor and a blessing that all the local people patronized their businesses and they always thought of everybody as their friend, not just a customer.
The Newcomers were in business for over 60 years and the business continues under new ownership in wonderfully capable hands.
Lastly, but of utmost importance, Bert loved Jesus! She had a deep, personal relationship with her Savior, and you will find her currently residing at the feet of Jesus Christ.
Those surviving Roberta include her beloved husband of the family home; sons Rex (Jeanine) Newcomer of WaKeeney and Jay (Anne) Newcomer of Crystal River, Florida; grandchildren Ashley Newcomer (Dan Bader) of Shawnee, Kansas, Brooke (Roger) Klein of Lyons, Kansas, Rachael Newcomer of McPherson, Kansas, Shay (Mallory) Newcomer of Atlanta, Georgia, Macon (Brittany) Newcomer of Houston Texas, and Casidy Newcomer, of Houston, Texas; great-grandchildren Owen Klein, Elsie Klein, and Henley Newcomer; and sister Joann "Jody" (Daryl) Bender.
Roberta is preceded in death by both parents and sister Gwen Hansen.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, May 3, 2021, at the WaKeeney Church of God, with Pastor Jerod Brown officiating. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to WaKeeney Church of God or Big Creek Golf Course. Donations to the organizations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th St. WaKeeney, Kansas 67672.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com