ROBERTA S. REMMEN

Roberta S. Remmen, 68 of rural Devils Lake formerly of Lignite, ND passed away on Sunday afternoon at her home in the loving care of family and Altru Hospice. She courageously battled cancer since her diagnosis in October of 2013. Roberta was born on January 12, 1948 at Crosby, ND, the daughter of Carl and Melba (Ronning) Sandberg. She grew up and was educated in Lignite, ND graduating from Burke Central High School with the class of 1966. She moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma and attended Beauty School. Here she met and married Jay Holmes and they were the proud parents of a daughter, Carly. In 1974 the family returned to North Dakota and lived in Lignite and Minot. Roberta’s love of nature and beauty brought her to work at an area greenhouse for several years. Roberta worked for several years at the North Dakota Highway Department on construction and as a bridge inspector after receiving training and certification at Lake Region Junior College in Devils Lake. In 1977, Roberta returned to Devils Lake and married Swede Bjornson. She went into retail sales and opened “Foxy’s”, a consignment and vintage clothing store. Her love of flowers continued, and she worked in a local greenhouse in the Lake Region. Roberta was united in marriage to Kenneth Remmen on December 1, 1990. They made their home on the every changing shores of Devils Lake. Roberta was never idle and worked as a cook at Devils Lake High School, was a home care provider to senior citizens and to anyone needing special care. She spent many volunteer hours at local nursing homes with her therapy dog, Jack. Roberta was a very creative, talented woman. She was into many crafts including stained glass, greeting card making, scrap booking and outdoor activities such as gardening, tending her flowers and keeping the yard groomed. She loved her animals, the outdoors and treasured any time spent with family and friends. Roberta’s loving family include her husband Kenny; daughter Carly (Bob) Jetty, Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren Mikaela and Jonathan Jetty; brothers and sister Jim Sandberg, Seabrook, TX, Stephen Sandberg, Lignite, and Jennie Sandberg, San Juan, CA; nephews Matthew and Scott Sandberg and niece Lindsey Baker; father-in-law Gary (Tammy) Remmen, Devils Lake and mother-in-law Connie (George) Brown, Crary; sister-in-law Wendy (Mike) Kraft and brother-in-law David Remmen. She was preceded in death by her parents.  We will continue to celebrate Roberta’s life, at a potluck fellowship at the Remmen home immediately following the funeral service.