Roberta Kay Samson

Roberta K. Samson "Bert", January 25, 1945 - August 21, 2025

Roberta “Bert” Kay Samson, 80, of Omaha, was welcomed into the arms of her savior with family at her side on August 21, 2025. Born January 25, 1945 in Omaha, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Margaret Williams. In addition to her parents, Bert was preceded in death by a sister Bonnie Wilkerson, and a daughter, Wendy Kay Samson. She is survived by her children, Shelly (Cliff) Mullins and their children Miguel, Lila, and Lena; Scott (Shawn) Samson and their children Gabriel and Abigail; Amy (Lowell) Stoltzfus and their children Nora Grace, Miriam (Daniel) Smith, Samuel, and Elijah; and grandson Joshua Samson. She is also survived by three sisters and three brothers and many nieces and nephews.

Born and raised in Omaha, Bert was the third of eight children. She was involved in Girl Scouts, dance, and baton as a girl, graduating from Omaha North High School in 1963. She worked in food service most of her life for various hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and restaurants, having earned an Associate’s Degree in Food Service Management while raising her four children.

Bert was very involved in her church. She was raised in Covenant Presbyterian Church and spent quite a few years at Christ Community Church before returning to Covenant after a decade in Little Rock, AR. Singing was a love she never lost and she was always involved in choir from childhood through her adult years, until Parkinson’s disease took away the ability to participate fully. She loved supporting missionaries and went on various mission trips once her children were grown. Later Stephen Ministries became her outlet in church for walking alongside people in crisis. This flowed from a deep love for God and incredible devotion to him. One of Bert’s “go to” phrases was “it’s me and God and my four kids”. Anyone who met Bert knew how fundamental her relationship with Jesus was.

Bert was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 17 years ago. She refused to let this disease define her, and fought it head on. She was a huge advocate for Delay the Disease by attending Parkinson’s classes at the YMCA. Yearly walks at Elmwood Park to raise awareness and support for others like herself living with Parkinson’s in the community were eye opening and inspiring. She was even on Channel 6 news twice for features on Parkinson’s!

Bert was a strong woman who faced many challenges’ head on, while also tender and nurturing with kindness for everyone around her. There was always a meal to be given, or cookies to be taken, or coffee served during a visit that made you know you were loved. She had encouraging words for those in need, prayers for wisdom if you needed guidance, and a never-ending supply of hugs that made you feel like the most important person in the world. The sparkle in her eyes when she smiled would cheer your heart. When she said she was praying for you, you knew she meant it.

If you needed someone to get excited about something, Bert was the one. There was no joy too small for her to celebrate. A joy for you was a joy for her. She loved spending time with her grandkids. Baking cookies, watching baseball and volleyball games, or flying half-way around the world to rock babies to sleep; she was there for it all. Every day was a day to see God’s goodness.

Bert was one in a million and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

“I know that my redeemer lives, and at the end he will stand on the earth. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God” Job 19:25-26

“Hence forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” 2 Timothy 4:8

Visitation: Thursday, August 28 from 5-7 pm at Braman Mortuary Millard Chapel, 6505 S. 144th St., Omaha, NE

Funeral Service: Friday, August 29 at 11 am at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 15002 Blondo St., Omaha, NE

Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park