Roberta 'Kaye' Klingborg passed away from cancer on May 14, 2021.  She spent her last days in her home supported by hospice and family. As an avid researcher of her family history, she always valued reading descriptive obituaries; storytelling to future generations.  Here's her story.

Kaye grew up in Stanhope, Iowa.  She was the third of 4 children born to Harold and Cora Mae Evans.  She always felt a bit different as she was the blonde, ugly, fat child….none of which was true except for her light hair.  She played basketball despite her mother's disapproval and took after her father with her softball skills.  Stanhope High School consolidated in South Hamilton High School  her senior year, from which she graduated in 1963.  She forged some life long friendships that she maintained throughout her life and would always identify as a "Stanhope Girl."

Kaye attended nursing school in Mason City, Iowa.  A psychiatric rotation at the Mental Health Institute brought her to Cherokee.  One day she was eating lunch in the cafeteria and accidentally left her keys on her tray.  A young man spotted them and returned them to her.  That man was her future husband, Jack Klingborg.  They were married on October 16th, 1966. in a ceremony which was planned according to her mother's preferences, but she was always proud they had chocolate cake decorated with red roses - her idea, which was very unconventional for the time.  As she joined the Klingborg family, she became more known to some by the name Roberta.  She was known by both names, depending on how you met her.

Kaye was the mother of 2 daughters, Kara  and Angie.  She and Jack lived in Cherokee, Iowa for the remainder of their lives.  She worked at Sioux Valley Hospital in Cherokee as an obstetrics nurse, but spent most of her career as a nurse supervisor at the Mental Health Institute.

Jack was a diehard hawkeye and Kaye decided she better jump on the bandwagon.  They were season ticket holders for over 45 years.  At the age of 63, she got a tiger hawk tattoo on her right wrist and fondly displayed it as her 'birthmark.'   She also has a claim to fame for trending on twitter for breaking her leg at Kinnick Stadium.  On that day, she vowed to never go to another Iowa vs Purdue game.

Roberta had an immense love of cats.  She would feed and provide safe winter housing for strays and pampered any of the indoor cats she had.  Crazy cat lady, yep!  She loved the sound of thunderstorms and the smell of fresh cut grass.  She would spontaneously sing silly songs.  Her wonderment about the world around her was inspiring.

Anyone who knew Kaye, was aware she could be very direct and hold people accountable.  She had a knack for 'colorful' language,' which was passed down to her daughter Angie.  She was very generous with her time and money, donating to several charities and family/friends in need.  She volunteered at the local archives and worked several elections.  She was a member and former officer in the Pilot Rock Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jack of 54 years and will be missed dearly daughters Kara Klingborg of Cherokee and Angie and her husband Rob Paschall of Carrollton, Texas, kitties Sue, Ruby and Ivy.

Visitation and time of sharing memories with the family will be held on Tuesday, May 18th from 4 - 6 pm at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa.  Masks are optional.  A private family burial will be held at the Grandview Cemetery in Quimby, Iowa.

Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com .  In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials which will be given to various charities important to Kaye in memory of Roberta Klingborg.