Roberta Johnson, 79, of rural Bridgewater

Funeral Services: Will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the Bridgewater United Methodist Church with burial following in the Avondale Cemetery. A luncheon will be held at the church following the committal service. Pastor Karen Patrick will officiate the service. The Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com.

Open Visitation: Will be held at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Lamb Funeral Home in Fontanelle.

Memorials: May be made to the family to be determined at a later date.

Roberta Marie Johnson was born on November 25, 1946, the daughter of George Robert and Esther Karleen (Tyer) Pilmer in Winterset, Iowa. She passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Greenfield Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Greenfield, Iowa, at the age of 79.

Roberta was raised on a farm west of Winterset and attended Hooten Country School, Winterset Junior High-South Ward, and Winterset High School. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Northern Iowa and took courses for undergraduate and continuing education at Grandview and Drake.

On June 8, 1980, she was united in marriage to Leland Johnson at the Pilmer farmhouse near Winterset. To this union three daughters were born, Timber, Robyn and Melodee. They lived near Richland until 1984 when they moved to their family farm in rural Bridgewater.

Family was a very important aspect of life for Roberta. She grew up on the family farm with her sister: doing chores, showing cattle, sewing, and planning slumber parties. As a young adult Roberta taught 1st grade in Pleasantville for 15 years, where she loved teaching students to read. After marrying, she thrived as a stay-at-home mom, often creating fun activities for the girls. For instance, instead of playing house she would get her teaching supplies out for her girls to play “school”. After the girls went to school, Roberta returned to her passion to teach by working at SIRF in Creston. She taught life skills to mentally and physically challenged adults. She was the activities director for many of her 25 years at SIRF. As a Special Olympics coach, her enthusiasm was contagious, bringing energy, joy, and encouragement to every athlete.

Roberta had a true heart for service, compassion for all, and a gracious giving personality. She was active in the Avondale United Methodist Church and as the Washington Workers/Stars 4-H club leader. Roberta never missed her daughters' sports games, 4-H/FFA competitions, or other events. She was a devoted 4-H fair mom who knew her girls well—when to encourage, when to push, and when to simply stand beside them as they found their confidence. There wasn’t a person that Roberta wouldn’t talk to. She was the best listener, encourager, and supporter. People she didn’t know would gravitate towards her calm and positivity. The girls and then grandkids kept Roberta quite busy, and she wouldn’t have had it any other way. However, she was always willing to slow down to watch a football game on TV! Roberta leaves a legacy of love and compassion for all, countless lives touched by her kindness, and a lifetime of making others feel loved, encouraged, and capable of more than they thought possible.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Leland Johnson; three daughters, Timber (Adam) Woosley of rural Bridgewater, Robyn (Tony) Ploeger of rural Linden and Melodee Johnson of Adair; sister, Mary (Carl) Miller of rural East Peru, Iowa; 8 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.