Roberta Leder, 94, of Greenfield/Bettendorf

Funeral Services: Will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Greenfield United Methodist Church with burial following in the Greenfield Cemetery. Pastor Bryce Huett will officiate the service. The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield.

Memorials: Memorials may be directed to the St. James Lutheran Church in Bettendorf or to The Homestead in Creston activities fund.

Roberta “Bert” Leder passed away peacefully June 4th surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on April 5, 1932, in Greenfield, Iowa, Roberta was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Templeman) Lorenz. She was raised on the family farm in Adair County alongside her sister, Beverly. Her childhood was filled with the simple joys of country life. She attended a one-room country school, often riding her horse to class, and one year her parents even boarded the schoolteacher in their home. She later attended Greenfield High School, graduating with the Class of 1950.

Roberta built a life centered on faith, family, resilience, and hard work. She was first married to Henry "Hank" Duitsman, and together they had two daughters Terri and Renee. Hank was tragically killed and left Bert with two young children. She later married Richard Dean Beaman and that union would see the birth of two sons, Greg and Lonnie. They lived in Humboldt, IA before their move back to Greenfield to purchase a farm close to her parents farm. Bert and Dean later divorced. Bert soon after relocated to Bettendorf Iowa where she lived for the next 40+ years.

In later years, Bert found lasting love and companionship with John Leder. They were married for more than 25 years and built a life filled with friendship, adventure, and unwavering devotion to one another. Together they embraced retirement with enthusiasm, spending winters in Florida, traveling throughout the United States and around the world, and creating treasured memories with their many friends. Whether they were exploring a new destination, gathering with loved ones, or simply enjoying everyday life together, Bert and John were happiest side by side. They cared for one another through life’s joys and challenges, sharing a partnership marked by love, laughter, and mutual respect. John’s passing in April 2025 left a profound void in Bert’s life, but her family finds comfort in knowing they are together once again.

Bert was one of the hardest-working women her family ever knew. Farm life was not easy, but she embraced it with determination and grit. For many years she rose before dawn to milk cows by hand, then came inside to prepare breakfast and get her children ready for school before returning to a full day’s work. She tended a large garden, sewed clothing for her family, kept the books for the local sale barn, and somehow still found time to care for everyone around her. Hard work was simply a way of life for Bert.

Her caring nature led her into nursing, where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Bert retired from Urological Associates in Bettendorf, Iowa, a job she truly loved. She often said she never dreaded going to work and considered herself fortunate to spend her career doing something meaningful alongside people she cared about. She formed lifelong friendships with her coworkers, and many of her happiest memories included weekend shopping trips, craft shows, and adventures shared with dear friends. After retirement, lunches with “the girls” remained one of the highlights of her week.

Bert was a faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church in Bettendorf. Her church family held a special place in her heart, and her faith provided strength, comfort, and fellowship throughout her life.

Family was the greatest joy of Roberta’s life. She was a loving mother to Terri Duitsman Shatava (Robert), who preceded her in death; Renee Duitsman Kirlin (Roger) of Colorado; Greg Beaman (Lorrie) of Greenfield and Long Grove, Iowa; and Lonnie Beaman (Michele) of Georgia.

She was a proud grandmother to Kelly Schill (Toby) of California, Brodie Ambrose (Lindsey) of Iowa, Konnor Beaman of Georgia, Amanda Paulsen of Iowa, and Jason Beaman of Kansas. She was also blessed with 11 great-grandchildren, each of whom brought her tremendous pride and happiness.

While Bert knew how to work hard, she also knew how to have fun. She loved gathering around a table for a good card game and never passed up a chance to play dominoes, marbles, or any game that brought family and friends together. Her laughter, competitive spirit, and love of fellowship created countless cherished memories.

Bert was also known for her kitchen. Her homemade beef and noodles became a family favorite and a tradition that brought generations together. No one ever went hungry in Bert’s kitchen. There was always room at her table, always enough food to share, and always a warm welcome waiting for those she loved.

Roberta cherished her Iowa roots and carried with her the values learned on the family farm—hard work, perseverance, generosity, faith, and devotion to family. She witnessed nearly a century of change but remained grounded in the values that defined her life and inspired those around her.

Of all the roles Bert filled throughout her life—daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, and friend—she cherished the people she loved most. Her life was a testament to hard work, generosity, faith, and the simple joy of caring for others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Elizabeth Lorenz; her sister, Beverly (Marv) Taylor; her husbands, Henry "Hank" Duitsman, Dean Beaman, and John Leder; and her daughter, Terri Duitsman Shatava.

She is survived by her children, Renee Kirlin (Roger), Greg Beaman (Lorrie), and Lonnie Beaman (Michele); her grandchildren, Kelly Schill (Toby), Brodie Ambrose (Lindsey), Konnor Beaman, Amanda Paulsen, and Jason Beaman; her 11 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

Roberta’s family finds comfort in knowing she is reunited with those she loved and leaves behind a legacy of strength, generosity, faith, friendship, family, and unconditional love. Her hands may be at rest, but the lessons she taught, the meals she shared, and the love she gave will continue through the generations who were blessed to know her.