Roberta E. Rebiskie

To watch a livestream of Roberta's service please click the link: https://www.facebook.com/lutheran.church.165   

Roberta E. Rebiskie, 96, of McFarland, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday (April 29, 2026) at Good Samaritan Society-Valley Vista in Wamego.

Roberta was born on April 25, 1930, in Gings, Indiana, the daughter of Anthony Brian and Lena (Wuensch) Hood.

Roberta was married to Neil Kirkham on March 27, 1951. To this union were born two children, Sandra K. Kirkham and William Kirkham. The couple later divorced.

Roberta later married Edmund Ash Piper on June 25, 1966. To this union were born two children, Karen Piper and Perry Piper. Edmund preceded her in death on August 8, 1972.

Roberta then married Louis Rebiskie on October 22, 1988, in McFarland, Kansas. He preceded her in death on December 5, 2008.

She was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church in McFarland. She enjoyed playing cards and dominoes. She was a member in the Spring Creek Community Club, McFarland Senior Citizens, and District 3 Card Club.

After graduating from Mays High School in 1948, she worked for the Kopper Kettle in Morristown, Indiana. While working there she had the honor of serving the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. Furthermore, she made homemade pies and sold them to the Kopper Kettle, the Blue Bird Restaurant, Valley Vista Good Samaritan Nursing Home and many others. Roberta was well known for homemade graham cracker butterscotch pies and her chocolate covered peanut butter balls. A lot of her family, coworkers, friends, and dancers got to par take in these treats.

She worked for over 20 years as a physical therapy aide at Valley Vista Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Wamego, and later as a CNA at Gran Villas/Vantage Park Assisted Living in Wamego, where she remained until her retirement. She also sold Avon for a number of years. Between 1999 and 2008 she routinely excelled in sales and as was awarded the Mrs. Albee Award for reaching the President’s Club.

One of her greatest passions was square dancing. She began lessons in 1974 with the Dutch Mill Swingers and became an active member of the Dutch Mill Swingers, Flint Hills Squares, the Lone Wranglers, and the Strato Jets Clubs. She faithfully attended square dance conventions, beginning with the Kansas State Convention in 1975, and did not miss a convention for more than 40 years. She also attended at least 45 National Square Dance Conventions.

In 1999, she received a Certificate of Appreciation at the 48th National Convention in Indianapolis. She participated in Square Dance Outfit Fashion Shows and proudly represented Kansas at the National Conventions in 1999 and 2006. In 2018, she was inducted into the Kansas Square Dance Association Hall of Fame.

She is survived by her four children: Sandra K. Bulmer of Batesville, Indiana; William Kirkham of Rushville, Indiana, Karen Moege (Darrin) of Alma, Kansas; and Perry A. Piper of McFarland, Kansas; along with 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, 1 great great-grandchild, two brothers, Roman Hood and Eddie Hood, a sister in law, Alice Kimble, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; a son in law, Rick L. Burke, three sisters, Mary Hartzler, Alice Neely, and Patricia Pike; and one brother, Joseph Hood.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma, with Rev. Robert Grimm and Rev. Terry DeGiovanni officiating. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in McFarland, Kansas.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 8, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Alma. Roberta will lie in state before the visitation, starting at 4:00 p.m. at the church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or St. John Lutheran School. Contributions may be left with Campanella & Stewart Funeral Home, P.O. Box 48, Wamego, KS 66547.