Roberta Josephine (Milner) Mog

THORNTON, CO

  Roberta Josephine (Bobby Jo)(Milner) Mog , formerly of rural Wilson, KS, passed away Friday, February 5, 2021 in Thornton, Colorado at the age of 93.

  Bobby Jo was born to Gus C. and Bernece Lancaster Milner on November 25, 1927, in the small southeastern Kansas town of Virgil.  Bobby Jo hit the ground running - literally speaking - with her dog and best friend Mary Lou, and she roamed the country side as an extremely curious young girl.  Bobby Jo enjoyed her many adventures with brothers William (Bill), Kenneth Lee, and little sister Karen Louise Kerby, all surviving.  The siblings have many a story to tell of Bobby Jo’s antics and adventures.

  Having been diagnosed as Deaf at a very young age, Bobby Jo was off to Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD) in Olathe, Kansas, where she studied and excelled until her graduation in 1947.  During her tenure she served as Editor in Chief for the Jackrabbit, the school paper, and year book. She was Senior Class V.P. and Salutatorian. Her little sister Karen claims Bobby Jo took great care with her as they traveled by train the 200 plus miles to KSD.  She tells the story of Bobby Jo going to the dormitories for the younger children every morning to braid Karen’s long hair.  It was at KSD that she met the love of her life, John Clement Mog (who preceded her in death in 2007.)  Growing up near one another in rural Central Kansas they spent a good amount of time together, including the commute to and from the Deaf school. It took 5 years after her graduation before they married, however, as Bobby Jo had many adventures she needed to undertake. Her Senior yearbook quote was “The whole wide World seems Small to Me”. 

  On May 19th, 1952 John and Roberta married and moved into their home on the Mog family farm in Noble Township near Wilson, Kansas, where she lived for most of her life. Life on the farm was hard, but she loved it. She bore 5 children in the old stone house, all of whom survive her; Bryce Robin in 1953, John Robert (Walber) in 1955, Terrance Lynn (Suzette) in 1956, Mary Ann (Marty Sweat) in 1958 and James Gregory (Betsy) in 1960. Roberta loved to garden and preserve all kinds of fruits vegetables.  She would scour the countryside looking for wild plums, chokecherries and elderberries to make her jellies and jams.

  Roberta was extremely committed to the Deaf community, serving on the original Kansas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in the 1980’s, as well as numerous officer positions in the local Deaf clubs in Hays, Hutchinson, and Salina. Her strong opinions on all matters Deaf and otherwise were always well known.

  Roberta worked many jobs during her years on the farm, finally retiring from Cashco in Ellsworth.  Upon her retirement, she and John traveled thousands of miles visiting national parks, family and friends. She also visited Europe with her son John.  She spent countless hours sewing and quilting, attending quilting conventions throughout the country with her daughter Mary and many other friends.  She completed quilts for every member of her family, which is quite extensive. Along with her children she is survived by 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, each receiving at least one hand-made masterpiece.

  Funeral services for Roberta will be held on May 28, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Ellsworth, KS.  Burial will follow at the Ellsworth Memorial Cemetery.  A celebration of her life will be held afterward in the church hall.

  Memorials are suggested to the Kansas School for the Deaf Endowment Fund to help Deaf children. Donations can be made through the KSD website, https://www.ksdeaf.org/endowment or in care of Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, Kansas 67439.

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