Roberta Christine Gowin

September 22, 1945- February 29, 2024

Roberta Christine Gowin (Gardner) was born on September 22, 1945 to Robert Nelson and Viola Lorraine (Eckroth) Gardner in Gregory, South Dakota. The family moved to Nampa, Idaho in 1946 and she attended Kuna High School and Nampa High School graduating in 1963. Following high school, she graduated from Superior Western Beauty College.

Roberta met the love of her life, James (Jim) Lee Gowin in 1964. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on January 8, 1965.

Roberta and Jim were blessed with three children: James Robert, Michael Lee, and Lorisa Dyan.

The family moved from Nampa, Idaho to Santa Maria, California in 1978 when Jim accepted a job at Tandem Frozen Foods as an electrician. After the move, Roberta was employed with Bank of America in Santa Maria and transferred to the Bank of America cash vault in San Luis Obispo until her retirement. During her time in Santa Maria, she sold Watkins, graduated from Allan Hancock College, and participated in Toastmasters.

Roberta enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling with her RV friends, water aerobics with her friends at the YMCA, making and maintaining friendships even with high school friends, reading, spending time with family, and her funny and loving dogs, Lucy and Baxter. Roberta also loved talking and when given the opportunity would talk to everyone she met. She also treasured her time with her seven grandchildren and loved being their "Nana."

Roberta was an active member of Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She enjoyed attending Bible class, helping with Vacation Bible School, and participating in LWMS (Lutheran Women's Missionary Society) where she held many board positions.

Roberta will be remembered for her smile, sense of humor, honesty, and her kind heart. We couldn't ask for a better mother and grandmother and we will miss her everyday. Roberta's memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her.

Roberta is preceded in death by her husband, Jim Gowin (who was called home to heaven less than 4 months before her), her parents, and her sister-in-law, Lynnora Brown. She is survived by her children: Jim and his wife Rebecca McCann of Riverside, California, Mike of Santa Maria, California, and Lorisa and her husband Scott Terrell of Tucson, Arizona.

She is also survived by her four California grandchildren, Nathan James Gowin, Joshua Robert Gowin, Mia Christine Gowin, and Keith Morgan McCann and her three Arizona granddaughters, Katarina Rose, Crisanna June, and Jenessa Hope Terrell.

Roberta is survived by her siblings, Albert Gardner of Reedsport, Oregon, Bob (Reana) Gardner of Nampa, Idaho, Jeani (Chuck) Allison of York, Nebraska, Lynn (Jim) Cahoon of Del Rio, Tennessee, and Jenni (Bill) Carpenter of McCall, Idaho, many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Roberta will be held at 11 am on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church (4465 S Blosser Rd, Santa Maria, CA, 93455).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials are sent to Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in memory of Roberta.

"Not unto us but to your name be glory, Lord, for grace so rich, so wide, so high, so free. Abide with us till traveling days are over and done, and pilgrim feet lead us home, Lord, to you." (CW 392)