Roberta Powell

Roberta Powell, 88, of Unionville, MO, passed away at Centerville Nursing and Rehab in Centerville, IA, on Thursday, February 23, 2017. She had been in declining health for a number of years.

Roberta Boone Ewing Powell was born in Bucklin, MO, on December 20, 1928, the daughter of Oscar Willard and Jewell Dorothy (Lynn) Boone. She attended rural schools in that area and graduated from Marceline High School. She began teaching in rural schools at the age of 17 while attending Kirksville State Teachers College (now Truman University) during the summer. She graduated from Kirksville with her Bachelor’s degree and also earned a Master’s degree from that institution. Roberta married John Ewing on April 17, 1948, and he preceded her in death on February 3, 2000.

Roberta and John lived in Burlington, IA, where she taught elementary school. They then moved to Lincoln, NE, where John was an associate professor at University of Nebraska and Roberta worked on a Master’s degree. After she completed her degree, she taught at JFK Community College in Wahoo, NE. They then moved to Normal, IL, in 1969 where Roberta taught elementary school in the Bloomington, IL, school district, retiring in 1985. Roberta and John moved to a farm in Putnam County near the Iowa state line upon retirement. After John’s death in 2000, Roberta married Jesse Powell on July 14, 2001; and he survives at home in Unionville.

Roberta liked to raise a garden as well as apples. She also enjoyed quilting. Roberta liked to travel, and she and Jesse took a wonderful trip to England. Roberta enjoyed meeting people and was blessed with a good memory for names. She enjoyed spending winters in Florida. Roberta especially loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren and appreciated the letters she received from her great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Roberta is survived by two daughters, June (Castor) Armesto of Poplar Grove, IL, and Janet (Jim) Krambeer of Elgin, IL. Her grandchildren are Nicole (Mike) Difford, Castor (Michelle) Armesto, Coleman Krambeer, and Laura Krambeer. Roberta’s great grandchildren are Claire, Sophia, and Josephine Difford; and Anna, Teresa, Castor James, Benedict, and Simon Armesto. She is also survived by two brothers, Roger Boone of Marceline, MO; and Willard (Carol) Boone of Blue Springs, MO; and five sisters, Dorothy Asher of Marceline, MO; Beverly (Gene) Kern of Ewing, MO; Arleta (Phil) White of Kansas City, MO; Mary (Jack) Triplett of Palmyra, MO; and Valdena (Larry) Anderson of Cedar Rapids, IA. Also surviving from Jesse’s family are three step-sons; Richard (Nancy) Powell, Randal (Rosie) Powell, and Raymond Powell; five step-grandchildren; and four step-great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Roberta Powell will be held at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Cincinnati, IA.

Memorials for Roberta are suggested to Hospice of Central Iowa or the Unionville United Methodist Church and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.