Roberta Ann Shutz Anderson (Bobbie) passed away Saturday morning June 1, 2024 with her husband at her side in her home in River Falls Township.
Bobbie was born in St. Louis, Mo. June 10, 1953 to Edgar Ray Shutz and Flo Ann Shutz. She grew up in Waukegan, Ill., attending an elementary Catholic parochial school and graduating from Holy Child High School, an all-girl Catholic high school. Upon graduating from high school, Bobbie worked several jobs to pay her own way through college. She attended Lake County Junior College for two years before transferring to Illinois State University at Bloomington/Normal, Ill., from which she graduated with an elementary education teaching degree. She obtained her first and career long teaching position in River Falls as a sixth grade instructor beginning at Greenwood Elementary.
Shortly after starting her elementary teaching career, which lasted 33 years, she successfully organized, developed, and lobbied the staff and administration to launch an outdoor education and camping experience for the Greenwood sixth grade students. When Meyer Middle School was created, the program expanded to all sixth grade students making the logistics much more challenging; but she and the other staff members were determined to make it work—and it did. The program lasted for approximately 28 years exposing hundreds of students to her vision of children learning about nature while living in it--- rain or shine.
In 1978 Bobbie Shutz became Bobbie Anderson as she married Steven Anderson and became a loving stepmother to two amazing girls, Kim and Kris Anderson.
Bobbie coached the high school varsity volleyball team, announced countless gymnastic events and served as a co-leader of the Trail Travelers 4H club, which has since been absorbed by another 4H club.
Even though Bobbie has become somewhat legendary with her chocolate chip cookies to family and friends, her main passion had become the making of quilts. She has made a multitude of quilts for family and friends, as well as friends of friends, service providers, and has even donated her quilts to support auctions of worthy causes.
Bobbie is survived by her husband Steven, stepdaughters Kim (John) Serene, Kris (Dennis) Rondeau and grandchildren Jayden Serene, Carter Serene, Lucas Serene, Declan Rondeau and Sydney Rondeau. She is also survived by her brother Bruce (Nancy) and several nephews and nieces and their children.
Bobbie is preceded in death by her parents, Edgar Raymond Shutz and Flo Ann Shutz, as well as her brother Brad Shutz.
Bobbie’s funeral/celebration of life will be held at Ezekiel Lutheran Church in River Falls on Friday, June 14 at 11 a.m. A visitation will be held briefly before the service on Friday and at Ezekiel Lutheran Church on Thursday, June 13 from 6-8 p.m. Interment will be in Gilman Lutheran Cemetery in Spring Valley. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
