Roberta M. (Kircher) Hansen, 79, of North Platte, passed away on May 14, 2013, in North Platte.
She was born in Indianola on Jan. 8, 1934, to Albert and Ola Faye (Elms) Kircher.
Roberta, along with her three brothers, was raised on a farm outside of Indianola. She graduated from Red Willow High School in 1951. She was united in marriage to Rodney L. Watkins. Roberta was blessed with four children, Diane, Dallas, Dennis and Donald.
On Jan. 5, 2002, Roberta married Vernon D. Hansen. As a couple they lived north of Curtis and North Platte. She felt blessed to share her final years with Vernon and his family.
Roberta was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Indianola and later St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in North Platte. She worked for St. Catherine’s Hospital as well as McCook Community Hospital in the medical records department and at Southwest Public Power in the records department.
She was known as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She also loved being Aunt Roberta to many nieces and nephews. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would bring a sparkle to her eyes and a smile to her face whenever they came to see Grandma Roberta. Roberta loved watching the grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s sports and other activities. She also enjoyed working in her yard with her flower gardens, dancing, any family activities, especially family dinners, and liked to keep her house neat and clean.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Vernon; children, Diane Watkins, of McCook; Dallas (Kelley) Watkins, of Kearney; Dennis (Laura) Watkins, of Hutto, Texas; and Donald Watkins, of San Antonio, Texas; step-children, Rebecca (Karl) Randecker, of Cozad, and Rex (Heidi) Hansen, of Tualatin, Ore.; brothers, Gayle (Caroline) Kircher and Ken (Karen) Kircher; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; seven step-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Roger (Betty) Kircher; and her stepson, Randall Hansen.
A memorial has been established. Friends may send condolences online at carpenterbreland.com
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m., Friday, May 17, at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, with Father Gary Brethour and Father Thomas McGuire officiating. Burial will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Indianola. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to time of Rosary, today, at Carpenter-Breland Funeral Home in McCook. Rosary will be at 7 p.m., today, at Carpenter-Breland Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.