10/15/2026
Merleta Olga Gesina (Schmidt) Roberts
Merleta Olga Gesina (Schmidt) Roberts, the daughter of Henry and Adella (Weiss) Schmidt was born at home on July 7, 1935. She grew up on the family farm that was settled by her Great grandfather, Michael Weiss, south of Victor, Iowa, in Lincoln Township.
Merleta was baptized at her grandparents’ home on July 28, 1935, and was confirmed at St John’s Lutheran Church, rural Victor, in 1948. She attended St. John’s Lutheran School through 8th grade and finished her high school years at Victor where she was Valedictorian of her class of 1953. On June 21, 1953 she was united in marriage to Melvin Duane Roberts at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Merleta and Melvin are the parents of 6 children: Michael, Diana, Julie, Kristy, Brian and Rhonda.
Merleta served in many roles in her church and was active in the Ladies Aid where she served as Secretary and President, and was President of the Williamsburg Zone Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML). Years back, Merleta played the church organ. She provided artwork for the Ladies Aid Annual Booklet, and the Wednesday School Programs.
Merleta had a love for reading, writing, art and painting with oils, sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlework, photography and scrapbooking. With strict German parents, she learned to be generous but frugal and very creative. She loved meeting and making friends with everyone she met. She began writing for the Deep River Record in the early 60s and wrote a weekly column “The Spinning Wheel.” While employed at the Brooklyn Chronicle she also wrote a column “Rural Reflections.” As photographer and feature writer, she earned a 1st place award from the Iowa Newspaper Association for best series, and a 2nd place award as columnist. Merleta worked in several stores at the Tanger Outlet Mall. She was an Amway Distributor for nearly 60 years. She had a Christian book business called Joyful Touch.
After retiring from the Brooklyn Chronicle in 2000, Merleta and Melvin spent a month in Europe, visiting Merleta’s relatives in Germany and even had the privilege of staying in the home where her Great Grandfather Hissenkemper was born and is still occupied by the family. They visited in the family homes of 4 of the 10 French students they had hosted in past summers. Merleta and Melvin also enjoyed an Alaskan Cruise.
Merleta was known for her love of flowers, many of which adorned the church altar, and she named her huge yard her “park.” She loved to be outdoors and her plants provided starts for many family and friends. Her nemesis were dandelions which she daily spent time snipping, trowel in hand, and digging up until she was 90. Merleta loved spending time with friends and family and hosted many gatherings in her backyard “park.”
Merleta’s love for her family, and especially for the little ones leaves an indelible mark on one and all. Her greatest love was her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You knew where she stood when it came to her faith in God. It was her desire that all know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, too. Merleta was called home by her Lord on Wednesday, October 14, 2026 at Newton Village under Hospice Care.
Merleta is survived by: her sister Doris Wegner, MN; her brother Merle (Peg) Schmidt, Victor. Children Mike (Liz) Roberts, Deep River; Diana Hansen, Ankeny; Julie Roberts, Grinnell; Kristy Farrington, Woodland Park CO; and Rhonda MacGregor, Denison. Grandchildren: Selina (Chris) McKinney, Charlie (Mae) Roberts, Trace (Cassie) Roberts, Lindsey (Joe) Wyckoff; Sherry (Richard) Hass, Erica Hansen; Tyler Puls, Travis Puls, Nicole (Nick) Wallace; Nathan (VaLeene) Herdlicka, Erienne (Dustin) Doll; Chelsea Roberts (Dustin Jackson); Ian MacGregor, Jack MacGregor, Connor MacGregor, and Brandon MacGregor. Great Grandchildren: William McKinney, Gabriel McKinney; Jadelyn Roberts; Desirae Roberts, Tillie Roberts, Emmarie Roberts and Lyndee Roberts; Thatcher Wyckoff, and Marina Wyckoff; Sarah McNulty, Kaitlyn Hansen, Brianna Newton, Cody Holston and Chasen Holston; Walter Puls; Owen Puls; Ezra Herdlicka and Dylan Herdlicka; Jayden Doll and Landry Doll; Jonathan Jackson and Matthew Jackson.
Merleta was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; her parents; and parents-in-law, Elvin and Mary Roberts; son, Brian; sons-in-law Kenn MacGregor and Dick Hansen; grandchildren, Lexi Schumacher and Boston Schumacher; Chad Hansen; and her beloved friend, Patti Ferreira.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Smith Funeral Home in Victor, IA.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Monday, October 19, 2026 at St. John's Lutheran Church outside of Victor. The funeral service will be livestreamed. A graveside service will be held at Saint John's Lutheran Cemetery following the funeral. A luncheon will be held back at St. John's Lutheran Church following the graveside service.
Merleta’s love for the sanctity of life and Christian education was paramount. She drove her own children to Christian Day School over 22 years. Memorials may be directed to Lutheran Family Services, or Iowa Lutheran School Tuition Organization (ILSTO)
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