Roberta Elsbeth Fiebach

Roberta Elsbeth Mitchell was born November 30, 1918 to Fred and Ida Belle Mitchell in Coffeyville, Kansas. She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1939 with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. She taught for three years in Kansas elementary schools before marrying her childhood sweetheart, Ralph Fiebach, in 1942. During and following World War II, Ralph and Roberta lived in several cities before finally settling in Wichita in 1955. By then, their family had grown to include four children: Gary, Jane, Cathy, and Bruce. Roberta was an excellent pianist and taught piano for 15 years. She also enjoyed playing the violin, singing and harmonizing. Other interests included cooking, entertaining, swimming, golf, bridge, family genealogy research, sewing, and square dancing. Roberta was a member of Chi Omega sorority, P.E.O. Chapter EM, Mu Phi Epsilon; her volunteer services included serving on the Board of Directors of the Wichita Symphony/Womens Association as well as the Board of Directors of Big Sisters. She was a Deacon and Elder at First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Altar Guild, and she volunteered at Economy Corner. She also tutored at several elementary schools. Roberta ("Bert") and her husband, Ralph, enjoyed traveling with family and friends, and she recounted many humorous experiences from those adventures. She loved people and she spread her joy of life to all those around her. Roberta was very much at ease around children and had a knack for keeping them entertained when called upon to do so. She was not afraid to tackle just about anything: waterskiing, snow skiing, computer classes and even line dancing in her late 80s. She continued to swim and play piano well into her 90s. She has joined her Lord Jesus in heaven and is now singing with the angels. Visitation will be from 7:00 8:00 pm, Sunday, November 26, 2017, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Memorial Service will be at 11:00 am, Monday, November 27, 2017, at First Presbyterian Church. Preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Ida Belle Mitchell; daughter, Catherine Weidenbach; siblings, Charles Mitchell, Eleanor Hollands. Survived by her husband, Ralph Paul Fiebach of Wichita, KS; children, Gary R (Vicki) Fiebach of Wichita, KS, Jane (Mike) Leach of Bend, OR, Bruce (Becky) Fiebach of Tigard, OR; brother, Don (Fran) Mitchell of Tulsa, OK; 8 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren. Memorials have been established with: First Presbyterian Church, 525 N. Broadway Ave., Wichita, KS, 67214; Wichita Symphony Orchestra, 225 W. Douglas Ave. #207, Wichita, KS, 67202.