[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 138 (Tuesday, August 23, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E874]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF BEVERLY A. ROBERTS

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                           HON. DUSTY JOHNSON

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 23, 2022

  Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and honor the life of Beverly A. Roberts, of Pierre, South Dakota. Bev 
was an amazing woman who led an incredible life. Bev was a friend to 
thousands, myself included. She was funny, hard-working, and incredibly 
loyal. Every time I saw Bev, she had a word of encouragement and a 
piece of advice. She wasn't just that way with the politicians, though. 
She knew plenty of governors and plenty of cowhands, and she treated 
them all with kindness and decency. I would like to extend my deepest 
condolences to the Roberts family and to everyone who knew this 
wonderful woman. She will be sorely missed.
  Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following obituary for 
Beverly Roberts:

       Beverly A. Roberts, 87, of Pierre, SD, died Tuesday, July 
     12, 2022, at Edgewood in Pierre. Inurnment will take place at 
     9 a.m. on Friday, July 22nd at the Presho Cemetery, followed 
     by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 22nd at 
     First United Methodist Church in Pierre.
       Beverly was born on March 27, 1935, to Ward and Frances 
     (Weber) Dittman. She attended grade school and high school in 
     Presho. She graduated from Presho High School in 1952.
       On December 7, 1952, Beverly married Clinton Roberts in 
     Presho, and they were married for 64 years. They had four 
     children, Debra, Schelle, Clayton and Kristi. Clint and Bev's 
     youngest daughter Kristi died in 1999. There are six 
     grandchildren in the family and nine greatgrandchildren. 
     Family was always a priority for Beverly.
       They made their home near Presho where they farmed and 
     ranched. Beverly devoted much time to driving the children to 
     town for school, swimming lessons, and school events. She 
     assisted Clint in moving tractors and other farm equipment, 
     often having to drive at the spur of the moment for machinery 
     parts. Leisure time on the farm usually included stock dam 
     fishing or hunting.
       Beverly was a gracious hostess during multiple opening day 
     pheasant hunts. Her other skills included starting and 
     running a retail business and troubleshooting computers in 
     the SD Dept. of Transportation and Office of the Attorney 
     General.
       She was a member of the Presho and Pierre United Methodist 
     Churches, Presho Jaycettes, Lyman County Republicans, and the 
     Capitol Club. She was a key campaign strategist in Clint's 
     political campaigns for the SD state legislature, US House of 
     Representatives, and SD governor, contributing to his 
     political successes.
       Her retirement years were spent enjoying family life in 
     Fort Pierre, SD, living on the river. Since Clint's death in 
     2017, Beverly lived at Parkwood and most currently at 
     Edgewood Assisted Living in Pierre.
       Beverly is survived by her children Debra Brakke (Verne), 
     Schelle Wenner, and Clay Roberts (Pam), and grandchildren 
     Nathan Brakke (Michelle), Matthew Brakke (Kimberly), Tessa 
     Wenner, Clint Hunter Roberts (Stephanie), Chelsey Roberts 
     Renemans (Nick), and Tiffany Menke (Nick). Beverly also 
     leaves behind nine adoring great-grandchildren and a sister 
     Linda Kerns of Murdo.
       Beverly was preceded in death by her husband Clinton, 
     daughter Kristi, and her brothers: Melvin, Delbert, Wayne and 
     Curtis.
       Memorials may be directed to the Greater Lyman Foundation.

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