Marian Roberts

Marian Noreen (Flinn) Roberts, age 89, of Faribault passed away on Thursday morning, July 28th at St. Lucas Care Center with her devoted husband at her side. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 1, 2011 at First English Lutheran Church in Faribault. Interment will be at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Faribault. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory, Faribault, and for one hour prior to the services Monday at the church.  Marian Noreen Flinn was born March 17th, 1922, to Glenn & Clara (Overby) Flinn of Faribault; the oldest of three children. She lived in Faribault all her life. She married John G. Roberts on the 23rd of June, 1945. Marian gave birth to their four children in the same St. Lucas Hospital building where she resided the past two years of her life. She will be greatly missed, as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to so many in her 89 years. Marian always lived life to the fullest, dedicating her time and energy in service to her family, community and church. Marian loved her community and was dedicated to service her entire life. Her motto was "Community service is the rent you pay for the space you occupy on earth." She served as President of the Mrs. Jaycee's, and the American Legion Auxiliary. She volunteered at Red Cross, District one Hospital, High School Class Reunions, Faribault Community Services, Eagles, Meals on Wheels, etc.  Marian served as secretary for The United Way's fundraising campaigns for over 30 years. In 1997 she received the Honorary Scroll Award from the Jaycees for her many years of distinguished service and was recognized as Rice County's outstanding volunteer senior citizen in 1998.  After retirement, Marian served over a decade as volunteer coordinator for the Faribault Senior Citizens' Center, and she kept busy with many community projects & organizations, including River Bend Nature Center, Heritage Days, Red Hat Club, Gad-a-Bouts and Kitchen Band. She was a lifetime member at First English Lutheran Church and volunteered there.   Marian and John loved to dance and "cut the rug" well into their 80's. They also shared their love of nature with their children in frequent hikes and camping trips. As a retired couple, Marian & John enjoyed travel on cruises, tours, and attending John's Navy Reunions. On their 60th Wedding Anniversary, June 23, 2005, Marian and John renewed their marriage vows at the I.C. Church in Faribault. They just reached the milestone of 66 years together this summer. Marian is survived by her husband, John Roberts of Faribault; her brother, Gordon Flinn of Dallas, Texas; sister, Shirley McCarthy of Cross Lake, MN; son, John Roberts, Jr. & his wife, Kathy of Spring Lake Park, MN; and 3 daughters: Janet (& Kenneth) Glenn of Manti, Utah; Jean (& Gary) Grover of Apple Valley, MN, and Mary Kadlec of Faribault; plus nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Clara Flinn. The family extends sincere gratitude to the many dedicated care-givers of the St. Lucas Care Center for providing care and comfort to Marian. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to The Alzheimer's Association or First English Lutheran Church in memory of Marian.