Roberta B. Nelson

Roberta B. Nelson, age 83, passed away Monday, May 23, 2022 at home in Burlington, Washington. She was born Sept. 6, 1938 to Robert and Helga (Knudsen) Bell in Mount Vernon.

She graduated class salutatorian from La Conner High School in 1956. On Feb. 22, 1957, Roberta married Roger F. Nelson, the love of her life, in La Conner. Roberta was a woman devoted to family and active helping others and using her gifts as a Cub Scout, Blue Birds and Campfire Girls leader. She was a member of the Skagit County Election Board and member of the La Conner Alumni Association, Salem Lutheran Church, La Conner Civic Garden Club and the La Conner Money Makers Investment Club. Roberta had been employed at West Shore Acres and Tillinghast.

Other interests included her labor of love; the La Conner Tulip Show, held at the La Conner High School gymnasium until 1968; antiquing, camping, boating and fishing and wintering in Arizona. Roberta had traveled to England with friends Kathy Peth and Colleen Thulen. She also visited Spain and Portugal with her husband and Roger and Lou Ann Knutzen. Other trips included the Virgin Islands and Mexico.

Roberta is survived by her husband, Roger of 65 years; son Mark Nelson and his wife Kristina; daughters, Karen Nelson and her husband David Alotrico, Ann Medvec and her husband George and Julie Klingman and her husband Andrew; brother, Jerry Bell and his wife Chris; sister, Betty Brand; grandchildren, Laura, Ashley, Melinda, Jeremy, Natalie, Natasha, Shane, Max, Eric, Erik and Jason; fifteen great grandchildren; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Russell Nelson and a granddaughter Amanda Rose Nelson.

A graveside inurnment service for Roberta Nelson is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., Friday, June 24, 2022 at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Mount Vernon with Pastor Doug Stensby officiating. A reception will follow the service at La Conner Civic Garden Club, 622 Second Street, La Conner 98257.

Memorials may be donations to Hospice of the Northwest, Whatcom Hospice House or Skagit County Fire District 6.

Services are under the direction of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon. You may offer your condolences and share memories of Roberta with her family online at

www.kernfuneralhome.com