Roberta Irene Follrath

Roberta Follrath was born on November 28, 1930 to Robert and Irene Alexander(Jankiewtz) in Muskegon, Michigan. Roberta graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1948 where she met her future husband, Richard Follrath. They were high school sweethearts that later married on April 14, 1955.

After their marriage, the Follrath's moved to Washington State for a time while her husband, Richard was in the service. They later moved back to Michigan where they started a family. She is survived by 3 children, Rick Follrath (Debbie)of Ludington, Renae Brown (Dennis) of Traverse City and Rhonda Follrath who resides in Denver, brother Michael Alexander of Hesperia and sister, Dorothy Witte (Alexander) of Fruitport, Michigan.

Roberta made friends wherever she lived. With moves to Birmingham, Greenville and Houghton Lake, Michigan she made friends easily, it never took her long to know the entire town.

Roberta was a most generous and giving person. She devoted her life putting others needs above her own. While living in Houghton Lake, every year she organized bus rides for seniors to tour local Christmas lights. She also worked with the Merchants Association on a Santa Workshop where kids had a visit with Santa Claus, received gifts and kids could decorate cookies. After being up late baking cookies, cakes and collecting socks for the needy for this event she then always dressed up as Ms. Claus, which was her signature annual holiday occasion!

Roberta graduated from the Muskegon School of Business in 1949 and worked on and off during her life at the US Signal Patent Agency and as the assistant to City Manager in Greenville, Michigan. Later she founded Paper N Things in Houghton Lake, Michigan where she was the go-to decorator for many local weddings and graduations.

Roberta was a charter member of the ABWA (American Business Woman's Association) chapter in Houghton Lake where she was awarded the Business Woman of the Year in 2010.
She was also an active member of the Merchants Association, Red Hat Society and Houghton Lake Historical Society. She was honored by being chosen as the Grand Marshall of the Houghton Lake Tip Up Town Parade in 2000. In 1994 she began collecting socks, hats and gloves for children and continued to do so until she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011. Roberta could not say "no" to anyone and was a blessing to all that knew her.

Roberta loved her grandchildren with a fierce passion. Her 5 grandchildren, Gary Brown (Erika), Anna Luxford (Wade), Mandy Wallace (Pat), Nick Follrath and Taylor Follrath meant the world to her. She loved more than anything to play games with them and attend their sporting events. For every birthday she tried to outdo herself with the most creative cakes that she always made herself. She even dressed up as a clown to hand out balloons at their schools. Roberta also has 2 Great Grand Children, Noah and Elanor Brown both in Traverse City, Michigan.

On November 15 after a heroic 10-year battle with Alzeheimer's, with family by her side, Roberta left us to make new forever friends. She spent her final years at Cherry Hill Haven in Traverse City, Michigan where she brought joy and large, bright smiles to all that crossed her path. The family is so grateful for the care and love she received there. In honor of those very large hearts and to help them the way they helped Roberta; we would love to support these loving employees.

In lieu of flowers, the family would love to request donations to the Cherry Hill Haven Employee Christmas Fund. Please mail checks made out to Cherry Hill Haven and memo noted to the Employee Christmas Fund and mail to Renae Brown 18571 West Davis Lake Road, Maple City, Michigan 49664. If checks are not an option, PayPal payments can be sent to Rhonda.Follrath@gmail.com .

Due to Covid-19, there will be a small family only service. A celebration of life will be planned for next summer.