Roberta (“Bobbie”) Ann (Pedersen) Korthals passed away peacefully in her home on Wednesday, May 8th, 2019 at age 81, surrounded by her family. She was born in Tyler, MN on July 10, 1937 to Alfred and Bernice (Krall) Pedersen and grew up in Ruthton, MN. She married Fritz Korthals on August 9, 1958 in Ruthton, and they were married for 60 years.
She graduated from Ruthton High School in 1955 and from Augustana College in 1957. She later went on to continue her education at Mankato State University and Southwest State University. Bobbie began teaching in Worthington in 1957.
Bobbie’s 39 years of teaching in Worthington included positions at St. Mary’s Elementary School, Hi-Ho Nursery School (which she co-founded), West Elementary, and Central Elementary. She retired from teaching in 1995. Bobbie took great pride in being a fun-loving mother and grandmother, not only to their own children but to many others as well.
Fritz and Bobbie hosted five international exchange students, and their home was open to all. Bobbie enjoyed playing cards, fishing, flowers, shopping with the girls, crafting, collecting dolls, hosting guests, decorating their beautiful home for all occasions, traveling, and most of all, spending time with her family. Bobbie was very creative and artistically talented and enjoyed sharing her skills.
Over the years, she painted several hundred pumpkins and gourds and enjoyed giving them away to friends and family. She also volunteered with decorating at church and the Historic Dayton House in Worthington. Bobbie was a member of the American Reformed Church in Worthington, where she was active in many different groups, committees and activities.
She was also a long-time member of PEO Chapter DW, Tourist Club, several Bridge clubs and other community organizations. Bobbie is survived by her husband, Fritz Korthals of Worthington, two daughters Lisa (Paul) Schutte of Rushmore, and Kim (Christine) Korthals of Worthington; daughter-in-law Lorraine Korthals of Worthington; granddaughters Erin (Tyler) Schutte Wadzinski of Worthington, Amy (Scott) Vanderzee of Highland, Indiana, Erika Schutte of Milford, IA, Sarah Korthals of Worthington, Marin Korthals of Worthington; great-granddaughter Alice Micek. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Brian in 2017, and her father- and mother-in-law Fred and Dena Korthals.
Visitation will be from 5-8 pm Monday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Funeral will 10:30 am Tuesday at the American Reformed Church, in Worthington, officiated by Pastor Tim Truesdell and Chaplin Steve DeKook. Burial will be following the lunch at the Sunset Rest Cemetery in Rushmore.
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