Roberta Alice (Collins) Lindahl

Our dear mother passed away on June 24, 2020 at age 100. She leaves behind rich memories of her generous heart, her love of her extended family, her resourcefulness in adapting with grace to the myriad of experiences of her long and event-filled life.

Roberta was born in Fremont Nebraska in 1919, the fourth of six children born to Glen and Eleanor Collins. Glen and Eleanor together with their children weathered the great depression and all the challenges of farm life, becoming a close knit family.

Roberta graduated from Coleridge High School in 1937. In 1940 Roberta enrolled in nurses’ training at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota, where she graduated with an R.N. degree in 1943. Here she met her future husband, Wallace Lindahl, then a post graduate fellow in medicine at the Mayo Clinic.

World War II interceded, and Dr. Lindahl became an Army doctor stationed at Camp Howze, a temporary Army training and prisoner of war facility near Gainesville, Texas. The two were married in 1943 at Camp Howze. They spent three years moving to various Texas army base assignments before relocating to Seattle where Wallace set up his medical practice.

Roberta adored children. She and Wallace (Wally) brought up five daughters on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle.

She was preceded in death by her husband in 1982, and her daughter Janis Day in 1997.

Upon retirement from raising her family, Roberta traveled the world with her special, amazing friend and “buddy” Marcelle Hickman. They set foot on almost every continent, explored jungles, went on safari, and toured the magnificent cities of the world. “We did it all!” said the fearless twosome. They purchased condos near each other after leaving their family homes. Later, they moved into Bayview Retirement Community together. Marcelle preceded Roberta in death on April 27, 2020.

Roberta is survived by her four daughters Kathy Wright (Shoreline WA), Alice Lindahl (Pahoa HI), Martha Lindahl (Moscow ID) and Mary Ruhl (Manzanita OR). She had six grandchildren, Andy Wright (Clinton WA) Travis Wright (Los Angeles CA), Jennifer Blackham (Walla Walla WA), Jonathan Day (Portland OR), Jessica Day (Everett WA) and Amanda Ruhl (Dallas, TX). Roberta cherished her six great-grandchildren Alexa Wright, William Wright, Janni Ruth Blackham, Abby Blackham, Evelyn Wright, and Dylan Day.

Despite having a big family of her own, Roberta extended a warm embrace to the families of her siblings. Knowing all of them well was to her a great treasure, and she loved having her sister’s boys in her life.

Special thanks from the family are extended to Aurica Cuc and the staff at Lake View AFH for the exceptional care Roberta received in her final years.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to this organization which Roberta supported with love for many years.

Seattle Children’s Hospital https://give.seattlechildrens.org/give/284150/#!/donation/checkout

A Guest book of memories is available through Acacia Memorial Park and Funeral Home:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/seattle-wa/roberta-lindahl-9237096

A memorial gathering of family and friends will take place when the social distancing regulations are relaxed. The time and place will be announced in this section of the Seattle Times.