Roberta Mae Lynn

Roberta Mae Lynn, nee Follis, lovingly known as Bert, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 91. Roberta was born to Robert C. and Myrtle M. Follis and was part of a family with deep roots in Central Illinois, including Lincoln, Middletown, Elkhart, and Mason City. She grew up with the values that would shape the rest of her life – faith, family, hard work, kindness, learning and care for others. As a young woman, Roberta began dating Dean Lynn while he was a student at Mason City High School. Their love story continued through his military service during the Korean War, and after he returned home, they were married. Together, Roberta and Dean built a life that would span more than 72 years of marriage – a life filled with devotion, family, resilience and the quiet beauty of ordinary days shared together. Roberta spent many years teaching children and encouraging curiosity, confidence and a love of learning. Those who knew Roberta knew she had a generous heart, a wise spirit and a wonderful sense of humor. Her students may remember her famous red shoes – the ones she wore when she meant business. Her family, of course, knew the secret: she just really liked red shoes. Roberta was many things to many people. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, teacher and Girl Scout. She was thoughtful, kind, curious, faithful and full of love. She was also, as her family would lovingly say, a clean freak. Near the end of her life, Roberta said she was thankful she didn’t just have great-grandbabies – she had great-grandchildren. She hoped they would always stay rambunctious and curious about the world around them. That was Roberta. She wanted people to laugh. She wanted them to learn. She wanted them to ask questions, find the blessings, see the good in people and notice the beauty all around. Roberta faced the end of her life with peace and faith. She said she had lived a good life, and she wanted her family to do the same. Her family takes comfort in knowing she knew where she was going and that, because of her faith in Christ, they will see her again. Roberta is survived by husband Dean Lynn; her daughter Tammy (Greg) Holmes; her grandchildren Shaunda Holmes and Brittany (Greg) Neunuebel; her great-grandchildren, Johnathan Limbacher, Ryan Bethea, Edith and Ethan Neunuebel; her brother, Duane Follis; and many extended family members and friends who loved her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert C. and Myrtle M. Follis. A visitation will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 5-7pm at Hurley Funeral Home in Mason City, IL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 10am at the funeral home, with burial to follow at Mason City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Special Olympics or St. Jude. Roberta’s family asks that those who loved her honor her by doing something wonderful in her name: laugh with someone, take the trip, ask the question, tell the story, look for the beauty – and live a good life, just like she wanted. Her final words to her granddaughter were simple and full of love: “I love you and take care.”

Roberta Mae Lynn

June 7, 1934 - May 19, 2026

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