Norma Jean Roberts

Jan. 15, 1936-June 9, 2011

BEAVER CITY, Nebraska -- Norma Jean Roberts, 75, died Thursday (June 9, 2011) at Harlan County Hospital in Alma, Nebraska.

She was born Jan. 15, 1936, in Beaver City, Nebraska, to Peary and Ileta (Leiding) Harman. She was raised in Beaver City and then during the third grade the family moved north of Holdrege, Nebraska, where they farmed and she attended Snowball school. The family resided in Holdrege through her eighth grade and then moved back to Beaver City where she attended high school. At the age of 15, she moved back to Holdrege and worked at a drug store as a waitress.

In 1953, she married LaMonte Hollertz and to this union five children were born. In 1967, she moved to Lyons, Colorado, where she resided for 42 years. She owned Dairy Lite and cooked in many local cafes in Lyons.

She married Ira K. "Ken" Roberts, who died in 1994.

She retired as head bookkeeper at Rocky Flats in Boulder, Colorado. She moved back to Beaver City in October of 2008.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Ira "Ken" Roberts.

Survivors include her three sons, Allan L. and wife, Lana Hollertz of Holdrege, Kevin M. Hollertz of Huntley, Nebraska, and Robin L. Hollertz and friend, Shannon Land of Holdrege, two daughters, Susan and husband, Jim Robinson of Huntley and Karen L. Buettner and friend, Ivan Snider of Holbrook, Nebraska; brother, Peary and wife, Theresa Harman Jr. of Boulder; sister, Betty and husband, Arthur Lee of Lyons; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services are Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Beaver City with the Rev. Michael Flury officiating. Cremation will follow services with private inurnment at a later date.

Viewing and visitation is Monday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Wenburg Funeral Home in Beaver City and prior to services Tuesday at the church.

Condolences or personal reflections may be left at www.wenburgfuneralhome.com.

Wenburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.