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Roberta 'Bobbie' L. Berwanger (Young) passed away on January 15, 2021, in Rockford, Illinois with her children at her side. Services were held on January 21, 2021, at Turning Point Church in Dixon, Illinois with Pastor Dave Jane from Connect Church in Washington, Illinois presiding. Please see the write up under Ellen's name below.
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Michael Matlak
I amreally saddened that thistragedy has happened. Bobbie will always be rembered the happy go lucky person that she was. I will keep her in my prayers and my deepest condolences to the family. God Bless her and may BOBBIE RIP. Mike Matlak
Patrick Gillespie
Sorry to hear this...Rest in peace Bobbie!
Margaret A. (Peg) Wiesenberger (Thomas)
Bobbie was a remarkable, caring woman. She now rests in God's eternal love. Far, far too soon.
Peg (Wiesenberger) Thomas
Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)
From Jeane Himebauch Allen:
I first met Bobbie in 5th grade when I moved to RR and she was most kind and welcoming to me.
She had a great basement for Fri. night sloppy joes before the football games and all the girls would have a wonderful time gathering and laughing, loving Bobbie's warm hospitality.
Bobbie also hosted terrific slumber parties where she played Johnny Mathis records all night long as we shared those secrets that teenagers share. We either laughed or cried together as friends.
Her warm and tender heart was ideal for her career in education. Bobbie was loved by her friends and appreciated by her colleagues in education.
May The Lord hold you close in His arms.
Gratefully, Your Friend, Jeane Himebauch Allen
Sarah Eakin (Webster)
I remember at one of those slumber parties, her father made us fresh-squeezed orange juice in the morning. I still see Bobbie at one of our reunions with her personal fan. Rest in peace, Bobbie.
Ellen Aspinwall (Templar)
Bobbi was born December 16, 1944, in Cleveland, OH, the daughter of Leo and Helen (Grady) Young. Her senior year of High School the family moved to IL where she later attended NIU and earned her master's degree in special education. She started her teaching career at the state school in Dixon, took a teaching hiatus to be a stay at home Mom, then finished her career at Bi-County Special Education in 2010. Collectively, she touched hundreds of students' lives over the span of 4 plus decades. Her most important career however was mothering her two children, daughter, Jennifer (Ryan) Blackorby of Washington, IL, and son, Mark Berwanger of Glendale, AZ.
Bobbi had hundreds of friends and a booming social life. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, the Dixon Elks Lodge, St. Anne' Church and Singles In Agriculture where she served as an officer for many years getting to travel and foster several long-term friendships along the way. She enjoyed countless years of laughing and talking while playing a little Bridge on the side, was a Bingo enthusiast, and a later-in-life Zumba fanatic. After her retirement, she continued to remain in the education system by substitute teaching and offering private tutoring for special needs students including her favorite pal Jamie. Another pastime which she worked incredibly hard to be able to do in her later years was traveling; both out of state and internationally. Many weekends you could find her dining with friends, visiting her grandkids, or simply sitting at home writing out cards to people because she knew their spirits would be lifted by receiving them.
One of her greatest accomplishments in life (encouraged by grandchildren) was learning how to text, on a flip-phone to boot. In addition to her daughter and son she is survived by all 7 of those grandchildren; McKenna, Thomas, Owen and William Blackorby, Payton, Grady and Cece Berwanger. Also surviving is her significant other and true love, Richard "Rick" Eliasen; and many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she adored.
Bobbi was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Jeanne (Al) Benning, Mary Young, Arleen (Bob) Cleary.
If you'd like to honor Bobbi's life but you're not sure how, please consider making a donation in her memory to Granny Rose Animal Shelter in Dixon or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Linda Peate (Powrie)
Bobbie was a great person and friend. I remember her bouncing down the hall and into a classroom! Funny how we can't remember what we did five minutes ago, but everything about dances and slumber parties with friends like her!
Debbie Benn (Mormon)
Bobbie's slumber parties were legendary. Most of us never slept and were so busy dancing and trading teenage secrets. I considered her a close friend and am saddened and distressed she is no longer with us. Be at peace with God, Bobbie.