Roberta Schuster will be remembered for the love she had for her family as a devoted wife and consummate mother, her hard work, her joy of gardening and knitting, and for her generous sharing of the fruits of her labor. At the age of 79, Roberta passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at home surrounded by her family.
She was born December 17, 1936 in Pecatonica, Illinois to the late Glenwood and Grace (Lapp) Mullican. Roberta spent most of her formative years in Pecatonica, but moved to Dakota, Ill when she was a sophomore in high school, where she graduated. She attended UW Platteville where she met her future husband Douglas Schuster. They were married in Freeport, Ill on January 28, 1959. Roberta had been office manager at Massachusetts Mutual Life Ins. Co in Rockford, Ill. After moving to Ringle, Roberta then worked for Employers Mutual until her retirement.
It was always Roberta's dream to raise her own Jersey cattle herd. So while living on their town of Ringle farm, Doug and her raised and bred registered Jersey cattle for many years. She managed and helped with every aspect in raising those herds. In the 1980's, they had the number one registered jersey herd for milk production in Wisconsin for four years in a row and the sixth in the nation. Roberta was very active within the Wisconsin Jersey Breeders Association, including being a past parish president.
She is survived by one daughter, Suzette (Rob) Bangart of Ringle, two sons, Douglas M. Schuster of Hatley, Jon (Gina) Schuster of Ringle, twelve grandchildren, Rebecca, Robbie and Hannah Bangart, Jessica, Douglas Jon and Tyler Schuster, Megan, Jaimie, Jacob, Thomas, Katherine and Anthony Schuster, one brother, Richard (Arlean) Mullican of Richland, MO, one sister, Ramona Riesinger of Lebanon, MO, four sisters-in-law, Charlotte Schneider of Algoma, Gail (Douglas) Greaves of Menasha, Joan (Gary) Wodack of Sturgeon Bay, Suzanne (Robert) Wessel of Forestville and numerous nieces and nephews. Roberta was preceded in death by her husband Douglas on February 7, 2014.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Therese Catholic Church, 113 W. Kort St., Rothschild. Father Louis Britto will officiate. Burial will be in Forestville Cemetery, town of Easton. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Helke Funeral Home, 302 Spruce St., Wausau and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services. You may sign our family guest book at helke.com.