Roberta J. Bliesener, 81, of Burlington died at 11:40 p.m. Monday, May 29, 2006, at her residence.

            Born December 18, 1924 in Yarmouth, she was the daughter of Dale D. and Edna Weinrich Gabeline.  On November 18, 1947 she married Ronald G. Bliesener in Burlington.  He died January 14, 2005.

            Mrs. Bliesener was a 1942 graduate of Burlington High School.  Prior to her marriage, she worked as a telephone operator at the Hawk Eye and then became a homemaker.  After her children went to school, she worked at Sunnyside School for 25 years, first as a teacher’s aide then as the secretary to the principal.

            She was a member of First United Church of Christ and King’s Daughters.  She enjoyed playing with her grandchildren, sewing, gardening, flowers – especially red roses, and red birds.  She loved their cabin on the river.

            Survivors include three sons, Jerry (Debbie) Bliesener, Richard (Kay) Bliesener, and Bob Bliesener all of Burlington; six grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; one brother, Robert (Donna) Gabeline of Morning Sun; one sister, JoAnn (John) Waters of North Fork, California.

            Her husband; son, Ronald “Tom” Bliesener; parents; and two sisters, Katherine Hundt and Evelyn Jarvis preceded her in death.

            A memorial has been established for First United Church of Christ.