Roberta Lee Smith, 77, of Burlington, died Friday, July 18, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born on Dec. 18, 1947, she was the daughter of Harry A. and Ruby L. Nelson Hopson.
She is survived by her loving husband, Mike Smith, of 25 years, her daughter Angela Wilkerson of Donnellson, Iowa, grandchildren: Jerry, Drew, Samantha (Dustin Walljasper), Alex, Danny, Caleb, Lily and Adeline; four great grandchildren: Axton, Meika, Brantley and Ryker; stepdaughter Breanna Smith, stepson Jason Smith; sisters in-law: Pam Hollister and Darlene Smith. Also surviving are several cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved son Chris Wilkerson, two brothers Lloyd and Jerry Hopson and one brother in-law Bill Smith.
Roberta began her real estate career working for Century 21, Canfield Blacksmith and Swander and for Mosley and Associates. She then worked for many years as a mortgage loan officer in the Quad Cities. She was a rental property owner and a Southeast Iowa Property Owners member. She was exceptionally smart and always very hardworking.
Roberta had many close friends that she spent time getting together with weekly for lunches and dinners. She enjoyed attending many concerts and events, especially Broadway musical performances at the Des Moines and Peoria Civic Centers. She also enjoyed vacations with her husband, going to the movies with her daughter and attending many various activities with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
She loved horses and all animals especially her two cats “Chloe” and “Snoopy” (who she named after her love of Charlie Brown’s dog) and also her beloved cats that had already crossed over the rainbow bridge, “Bob” and “Boo”. She was a strong supporter of the World Wildlife Federation, 4Ocean, and was an organ donor.
“Bert” will be deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved her.
The funeral service for Roberta will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2025, at Lunning Chapel with Darlene Smith officiating. A one-hour visitation will be held prior to the service at 10:00 a.m. at Lunning Chapel where the family will meet with friends. Interment will be held in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in her memory for Des Moines County Humane Society or VFW of Burlington.