Roberta Gingerich

Memorial services for Roberta L. Gingerich, 88, Lawrence will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Lawrence.  She died on Monday, February 4, 2013 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Roberta was born on April 27, 1924 in Oklahoma City, OK, the daughter of Robert William and Ona (Peeler) Crow.

She attended Oklahoma City public schools and Oklahoma City University.  She received a B.A. degree in English/Theater from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS in 1971.  She became the Associate Director of the Kansas Humanities Council and later was an instructor in English as a second language for Johnson County Community College.

She was always active in various community, school and church organizations.  She worked as an administrative secretary in school and church settings.  She was a Y-teen program director in Columbus, OH, for the YWCA, and served with her husband at the Tokyo Union Church, an international, interdenominational congregation in Tokyo, Japan.

Her avocational pursuits were in fields of theater, music and the arts, and world citizenship.  She hosted countless numbers of international students and maintained a world-wide correspondence.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, the Celebration of Cultures, the International Host Family Program, and the Hiratsuka Sister City Program.

Roberta was married to The Reverend Dr. John C. Gingerich on June 6, 1943 in Oklahoma City, OK.  He survives of the home.

Other survivors include two daughters, Harriet Gingerich Caplan, and husband, Lou, Hays, KS, Robin Gingerich, and husband, Tom Mersmann, Lawrence; one son, John C. Gingerich, Jr., Kansas City, MO; two grandchildren, Michael Hazel, and wife, Diane, Washington D.C., Sara Hazel and husband, Dan Goldhamer, Denver, CO; and one sister, Wilma A. Wine, and husband, Joe, Sedono, AZ.

The family will greet friends following the service.

The family suggests memorials in her name to the KUEA/University Theatre, KCPT, or Habitat for Humanity and may be sent in care of the mortuary.

 

11 Condolences

  1. robyn herzog on February 5, 2013 at 2:32 pm

    soo sorry to hear bout roberta she always have nice things to say bout her grandkids and kids she always tells me she wants ice tea, and if its weak i made her good tea.
    she always have a smile on her face that will light up a room
    i can also her laugh
    god bless robyn herzog



  2. Betty Pickerel on February 6, 2013 at 5:07 am

    May you find comfort in your time of loss, and may you know that I love you.
    Betty (Silvy P’s mom)



  3. Rick Ruiz Schwebel on February 6, 2013 at 6:32 am

    To the family : my sincere condolences.
    There is no greater pain than the death of a loved one.
    Sometimes it seems almost more than a person can bear.
    Jehovah God helps us with this in His word,
    He promises us that He will put a stop to all sickness
    and death will be no more (REV 21;3.4) Jehovah also
    shows His love for us through the ransom sacrifice
    of His beloved son Jesus Christ. What a wonderful gift to be given !
    Then the hope of seeing our loved ones again
    on this earth, transformed into a paradise. The Bible tells us
    this was Jehovah’s will when He created Adam & Eve.
    Please read:
    (Genesis 1:26,27; John 5: 28,29; Psalms 37:11,22,29).
    If you have any questions or comments,
    You contact me at: ricruiz@aol.com
    Sincerely:



  4. Jane Campbell on February 6, 2013 at 7:48 am

    Roberta was one of the most charming and talented friends I have ever had. We became acquainted here in Lawrence after both being in Tokyo, Japan at the same time. She will be finding something to put together in heaven, or direct and all will be well. Bless you John.



  5. beth and chuck berg on February 6, 2013 at 1:36 pm

    Dear John, Harriet, Robin, John Jr. and families,

    Our hearts so go out to you.
    How VERY VERY BLESSED we are to have gotten to have Roberta in our lives!!
    She is truly one of the planet’s FINEST!
    As someone else said, she no doubt is already at work, planning, doing, making her NEW world even better! I want to be like Roberta when I grow up!

    Much love and sympathy to each of you!
    from beth and chuck



  6. Paula Hatcher, RN on February 7, 2013 at 8:37 am

    Sara and Michael-I got to know your grandmother as she lived near my mother at BrandonWoods. She was a gracious and lovely person. My sympathy to you both. Paula Hatcher, RN, LFreeStateHigh School



  7. Chris Cunard on February 8, 2013 at 10:56 am

    Rev. John Gingerich and Family,
    I read about Robert’s death in the paper. I remember so well the times we all shared together. I remember with pleasure the birthday celebraions Roberta, Lois, Dot, Betty and I all had.
    As we shared birthday cake we all talked about what we had done since we last met. Roberta always amazed us all with her writings and her acting (even at her age) in the local theater. None of us could top her tales.
    It was a privilege to share even a small part of your lives.
    I pray that you feel God’s enduring love and presence over the next days and weeks.
    I’m sorry that I couldn’t be a part of this special time of remembrance of her. Roberta was special.
    Love,
    Chris Cunard



  8. Mike and Susan Niedenthal on February 8, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    Dear John, Robin, Harriet and John, We want to express our deepest sympathies on the passing of Roberta. She was a wonderful person and a good friend. We are so glad to have had the chance to be her neighbor on Creekwood. I have many fond memories but 2 come to mind. The first occured when I was trying to find a baby sitter for the first time. Roberta sent Robin over to guide me through the process. The second was the 2 weeks John and Roberta let us live in their home while ours was being finished. We stored stuff in the garage and lived in the house while they were away on vacation. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Roberta will be missed.



  9. Jerome Yochim on February 9, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    We met Roberta and John shortly after we moved into Brandon Woods. What a wonderful couple they’ve been, but how sad it is now to have lost Roberta. Much love and sympathy to you, John, and to the family.



  10. Catherine Creviston on February 15, 2013 at 4:37 pm

    We met Roberta and John while my mother was staying at Brandon Woods. Roberta and John were my mom’s favorites and she ate meals with them often. They brightened my mom’s days at Brandon Woods!
    We are sorry for your loss John.



  11. Juli Bulleigh on August 19, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    John – I just heard about Roberta a couple of days ago. She was such a lovely person, and I know you miss her. We pray that you will find comfort at this difficult time. Regards, Juli Bulleigh (Frank & Phyllis Braunlich’s daughter)



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