Roberta Lynn (Ersland) KRALING McBAIN
MCBAIN, LEIN, ERSLAND, KRALING, RASMUSSEN, LOTH, HOGY
Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:00
Roberta “Bobbie” Lynn McBain, 74, Belmond, died July 11, 2022 at her home surrounded by loved ones. Services were held July 16 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Gateway Guardians.
Bobbie was born May 10, 1948 in Belmond to Richard Lynn and Ruth Arlene (Lein) Ersland. Her older brothers, Gary LuVerne and Larry “Babe” Jay, were thrilled to finally have a little sister to adore. Bobbie was the youngest for four years until the arrival of twins Randal Dean and Rebecca Jean.
To the Ersland family, a personal walk of faith was important. Therefore, Bobbie was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran.
Bobbie was born and raised an Iowa farm girl where her chores included gathering eggs, washing the bulk tank, and walking beans. When she wasn’t busy with chores, you could find young Bobbie dancing her heart out at ballet or tap, patiently learning the piano, or getting into trouble with her best friend and neighbor, Karen Loth. As years passed, Bobbie could be found on the stage performing in theater and debate.
Bobbie graduated from Belmond High School in 1966 and furthered her education with her best friend by her side. Bobbie then found her true calling in life, as a mother, with the arrival of sons Eric Stephen and Joshua Stephen Kraling. The boys kept Bobbie on her toes with activities such as Cub Scouts, where Bobbie found herself being a Cub Scout Leader. The boys also enjoyed theater, and at 13, Eric ran lines with Bobbie for her return to the stage for the production of Cheese Cake. Bobbie continued to further her education, and in doing so, found everlasting, unconditional love. It was while taking courses in the midst of raising two young men that she met Larry McBain. Larry was, and always will be, the love of Bobbie’s life. Bobbie and Larry were married Jan. 31, 1998 and have enjoyed life’s adventures together ever since.
The McBains were always the hosts for the holidays, with Bobbie’s kitchen overflowing with savory dishes. They often snuck away from Belmond for “McBain Family Trips'' that included houseboats, road trips, and endless laughter. When returning home, Bobbie found her time filled for 28 years with her work as a Realtor, where she guided families and individuals in their pursuit of their dream homes. Bobbie found fulfillment in volunteering with Wright County Hospice from 1998-2018, and one year she was selected as Volunteer of the Year. Bobbie also worked as the executive director of the Belmond Chamber of Commerce, served as the secretary and treasurer of the Wright and Hamilton County Board of Realtors for ten years, and was an active member of Toastmasters and The Woman’s Christian Club.
The year 1992 brought boundless joy as Bobbie began responding to “Grandma Bobbie.” As she welcomed each grandchild and great-grandchild, her heart grew and her cookie recipe was indefinitely memorized. Bobbie’s final stage performance was in the 2018 Iowa River Players production of M*A*S*H.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Babe and Randal Ersland; and sister Rebecca Ersland. Bobbie will be deeply missed by her husband Larry; best friend Karen Rasmussen; brother Gary (Meredith) Ersland; sisters-in-law Jan Ersland and Beverly Hogy; sons Eric Kraling, Joshua (Julie) Kraling, and Rodney (Tanya) McBain; grandchildren Molly, Jason, Loretta, Zach, Faith, Quinton, Avery, Mackenzie and Austin; and great-grandchildren Lincoln, Zephyr and Diane-Krissalee.
Wright Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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