HARRISON E. ROBERTS

ROLFE — Harrison E. Roberts, age 81, of Rolfe, died on Dec. 9, 2007, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital.

Funeral services are 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at Faith Lutheran Church, rural Palmer, with Pastor Richard Taylor officiating. Burial is in Clinton Garfield Cemetery at Rolfe. Visitation is 4 to 8 p.m. today, Dec. 12, at the Powers Funeral Home in Rolfe.

Harrison Emory Roberts was born on Oct. 10, 1926, near Plover. He was the son of Wilbur H. and Bessie (Otto) Roberts. He was raised near Rolfe and attended country school in West Bent Twp. He went to High School at Des Moines Twp. School graduating in 1945. He farmed with his father until 1952. He married Mary Joy Mackie on Oct. 8, 1950 at Laurens. The couple farmed north of Rolfe until 1985 when they moved into Rolfe. Harrison drove school bus for Des Moines Twp. and later for 14 years for Rolfe Community School. He especially enjoyed his bus “kids” and the numerous field trips enjoyed by all. He began working for Farmers Coop in 1977 retiring in 1991. After retiring he worked for several local farmers helping with field work and was a Trustee of Clinton Garfield Cemetery for 10 years.

Harrison was an active member of the Rolfe Methodist Church for 40 years and now a member of Faith Lutheran Church. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. Lodge until it disbanded. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, volunteering his time helping others, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife Mary Joy; his children: Curtis Roberts (and fiancé Donna Gregory) of Pocahontas, Dean (Debra) Roberts of Pocahontas, Joan Roberts of West Des Moines, and Nancy Wittrock (and friend Mike Wiggins) of Fort Dodge; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother Charles Otto of Glendale, Ariz.; and sisters, Ruth Boehner of Newtown, Mo., Ida Stafford of Litchfield Park, Ariz., and Sharon (N.C.) Scott of Colo, Iowa. Harrison was preceded in death by his parents, and great-grandson, Owen Roberts.