Roberta Marie Mohler Reed

July 23, 1926 - February 15, 2022

Roberta Marie Mohler Reed, 95, of McPherson, died at the Cedars on Feb. 15, 2022. Roberta was born July 23, 1926, to Robert E. and Velma Landis Mohler in McPherson. She was an unexpected delight to her parents, who having lost two babies previously, adopted two children, Elizabeth and Richard. Robert and Velma did not expect another baby to live and were not prepared for her arrival, but because Roberta’s rh-negative blood matched her mother’s, she not only lived, she thrived. Roberta had a happy childhood growing up on College Hill just blocks from McPherson College where her father taught. Despite the Depression, the community provided support and friendship. As a child she swam in the old round pool in Lakeside Park; she walked to Washington School, home for lunch and back for the afternoon; she marched in the All Schools Day parade; and she made lifelong friends most of whom she outlived. A defining moment was the death of her mother when she was 10. Roberta seldom spoke of it but once said she remembered little of the next two years. She spent a summer or two with her beloved aunt in Michigan and was blessed to gain a new mother when Robert married Fern Shoemaker and then younger siblings Edwin and Genelle. Roberta graduated from McPherson High School in 1944 and McPherson College in 1948 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. But she often mentioned getting her MRS degree, marrying Marvin Krehbiel a week after graduation, June 5, 1948. She loved living on the farm where they raised their children Susan, Mary, John, and Tim. She was a loving mother who guided in gentle ways and led by example. She read endlessly to her children and showered them with her time. Later she showed the same love and support to her grandchildren. Family gatherings, vacations, and birthday parties were special. She bragged that all four of her children and all four of their spouses graduated from McPherson College—and they’re all still married! After her divorce, she began a new phase of her life as owner/operator of McPherson Travel Center. She married Don Reed on Feb. 7, 1981, and shared much fun and many adventures with him until his death in 1999. Roberta’s family had taken annual summer vacations when she was growing up, and now her love of travel bloomed with trips in the U.S. and abroad. She flew on the Concorde, sailed on the Queen Elizabeth II, rode the Orient Express, and walked on the Great Wall of China. When asked her favorite trip, she always replied, “my last one.” She was a lifelong, active member of the McPherson Church of the Brethren and a 50+ year member of Chapter EU of the PEO sisterhood. A social person, she enjoyed entertaining in her home and being with friends in book clubs, bridge clubs, and gatherings formal and informal. Throughout her seven-plus year struggle with dementia, she retained her positive outlook on life, her cheerful nature, her beautiful smile, and her inner strength. She died as peacefully as she lived. And yes, she was right. Her last trip is her best. Godspeed, dear Mother. Her survivors include her children Susan Taylor (Bud), McPherson, Mary Bowman (Carl), Tipp City, Ohio, John Krehbiel (Cindy), McPherson, and Tim Krehbiel (Patti), Oxford, Ohio; grandchildren Tom Taylor (Michelle), Wichita, Jen Pollard (Nathan), McPherson, Adam Bowman (Kim), Coral Gables, Fla., Drew Bowman (Hannah), Columbus, Ohio, Will Krehbiel, McPherson, Ed Krehbiel (Liz), Oxford, Ohio, Robb Krehbiel, Tacoma, Wash., JJ Krehbiel (fiancee Catherine Clark), Atlanta, Ga., Rudy Krehbiel (Rachel), Atlanta, Ga., and Rhonda Krehbiel, Oxford, Ohio; great grandchildren Ender Taylor, Wichita, Zane Taylor, Wichita, Ailla Pollard, McPherson, Lila Bowman, Coral Gables, Fla., and Jack Bowman, Coral Gables, Fla.; and siblings Edwin Mohler, Helena, Mont., and Genelle Krehbiel (Jim), Scott City. Her husband, her parents, her brother Richard Mohler and sister Elizabeth Bollinger preceded her in death. A private family burial service will be held in the McPherson Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at the McPherson Church of the Brethren Saturday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Chris Whitacre and the Rev. Kathryn Whitacre officiating. Masks required. The family requests memorials in lieu of flower, memorials may be sent to the McPherson Church of the Brethren—Oak Harbor Cottage project and to the McPherson Museum and Arts Foundation in care of Glidden Ediger Funeral Home, 222 W. Euclid, McPherson. The service may be viewed at https://youtu.be/49ebFCssf0o .