Roberta Madge Wendling

Roberta Madge Wendling, age 90, of Ball Ground, Georgia, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 21, 2025. Roberta was born on December 7, 1934, in Des Moines, Iowa. In 1939, her family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where her sister Marilyn was born. In 1948, they moved again to Edina, Minnesota, following her father’s job transfer. On August 15, 1958, Roberta married the love of her life, Donald R. Wendling, a dashing Air Force serviceman and Deputy Sheriff, in a double ceremony alongside her sister Marilyn and Edward Janes. Roberta and Don built their life together in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, where they welcomed their daughter, Michele Roberta, in 1959. Roberta worked for many years in secretarial and office management positions, eventually retiring from National Airport Equipment. She and Don enjoyed fishing and time spent at the Wendling family cabin on Lake Roosevelt in Outing, Minnesota. They loved traveling together, whether visiting family in Detroit, friends at Spring Valley Ranch in the Black Hills of South Dakota, vacationing in Hawaii and the Caribbean, or taking a memorable train trip across the Midwest to Vancouver, Canada. Family was at the center of Roberta’s life. She and Don delighted in visits with their grandchildren, Shannon and John, in Atlanta, Georgia, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. After Don’s passing in 2013, Roberta moved to Ball Ground, Georgia, to live with Michele and son-in-law Tim Olson. She was blessed to be near her granddaughter Shannon, her husband Jeremy, and three great-grandchildren, Hailey, Madelyn, and Jeremy Jr., with whom she shared birthdays, school plays, and graduations. Roberta had a God-given talent for counted cross-stitch. Her handmade cards and hand towels were once sold in a hotel gift shop, and in Georgia she continued her ministry through Shepherd’s Hook at Lake Arrowhead Church, lovingly creating personalized cards as well as hundreds of “Jesus Loves You” bookmarks for Operation Shoebox. Her friends and family cherished her thoughtful birthday cards year after year. She was a faithful member of her church community, attending Sunday school classes, Bible studies, and most recently sharing fellowship and sweet memories with the Soul Sisters widow group. She truly embodied the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22–23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Roberta came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior in April 2022. Even in her final days, Roberta’s faith shone brightly. Just a week before her passing, she boldly proclaimed, “Oh, I believe!” from her hospital bed, joyfully preaching about her Savior. Her last words spoken in prayer were “Amen.” She will be remembered for her warm smile, her steadfast faith, and her deep love for her family and friends. Many have shared words of comfort: “She was so dear to me.” “She was one amazing lady. I absolutely adored the time I got to spend with her laughing and storytelling.” “I just love her – she touched my heart deeply.” Roberta is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Wendling. She is survived by her daughter Michele (Tim) Olson, grandchildren Shannon (Jeremy) and John, great-grandchildren Hailey, Madelyn, and Jeremy Jr., sister Marilyn Veltman, nephews Scot and Philip, and many dear friends. Her family rejoices in the knowledge that she is at home with her Lord. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00AM Monday October 13, 2025 from the Chapel of Darby Funeral Home. Dr. David Blevins will officiate. The visitation will be from 9:00AM until the funeral hour. Please join the family afterwards for a luncheon and fellowship at: Charlie Ferguson Community Center 1398 Reinhardt College Pkwy. Canton, GA 30114 The Celebration of life will be live-streamed at: https://vimeo.com/event/5446492 The staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wendling Family.

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Roberta Madge Wendling

December 7, 1934 - September 21, 2025