Nettie Roberts

Nettie Ilene (Honey) was born on July 24, 1920, to John Wesley and Thea (Heier) Etzel in Michigan, ND. She graduated salutatorian from Michigan High School and was offered a scholarship to the University of ND at Jamestown. She married Kenneth (Cap) Roberts of Lakota, ND, on July 22, 1939 and they celebrated 65 years of marriage together. After their marriage, Nettie moved with her young family to Tacoma, WA, where Cap worked in the shipyards during World War II. In 1948 Nettie and 4 small children moved to Canton, SD, where Cap worked on the construction of the Canton Academy. A short time later, Nettie and Ken moved to Fairview and purchased the Hardware store. Nettie managed the store while Cap worked at Girton-Adams in Sioux Falls. There was another move back to Canton in 1961 and then to Bismarck in 1962, and finally settling in Sioux Falls in the summer of 1962. Nettie painted several homes during their time in Canton as well as the older home they renovated and lived in on North Lincoln. Nettie painted the Canton 3-story pink with white trim like a home she saw in Better Homes & Gardens. Nettie loved children and says the days when her family was young were some of the happiest of her life. She loved to cuddle and rock her great-grandchildren. She was an accomplished seamstress, a wonderful cook, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a servant of the Lord. Nettie and Ken accepted Jesus Christ as their savior the first year of their marriage and their faith and trust in Him guided their life. The church was the center of her home and Nettie taught Sunday School, participated in Bible Studies, women?s groups and read through the Bible each year. In difficult times, Nettie was heard to say, ?God wills and we accept?. Nettie is survived by four children, Janice (Dick) Mundt of Boone, IA; Paul (Jeanne Myhre) of Vermillion, SD; Ann Carol (Jim) Carroll and John (Monique) of Sioux Falls; daughter-in-law Colleen (Heeren) Roberts of Bismarck, ND, 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Nettie was preceded in death by her husband, Ken in 2005 and sons, Kenny (2007) and James (1991). The family is grateful to Linwood Wesleyan Church for their faithfulness to Nettie in her later years and Avera Prince of Peace and hospice staff for their loving care.