of Yellville, AR

March 5, 1955 - January 4, 2022

The world lost a loving and much-loved woman when Debra Ann Roberts, 66, died at her home in Marion County, Ark., on Tuesday, January 4, 2022.

Debbie became a full-time resident of the Pine Mountain community in 2019 but had discovered the Bull Shoals Lake area with her husband, Rich Roberts, many years before.

After searching around the country for the right location for many years, friends told them about the beautiful scenery and quality of life in this area. The first time she and Rich stood on the land that was to become their dream home, she tugged on Rich's sleeve and said, "I want this!" Right in front of the property owners. It might not have been the best negotiation tactic, but it didn't matter - Rich and Debbie had found the land where they would live the rest of their lives.

Pine Mountain was a long way from where Debbie was born, in Appleton, Wis., and where she lived most of her adult life, in Richfield and Franklin, Wis. But it quickly grew into their vacation home for many years while they worked to get the land ready for full-time living, and it was where she felt welcome and accepted.

After retiring from Northwestern Mutual and moving south, Debbie became active in the Welcome Ridge Community Church and enjoyed volunteering with the Bargain Box thrift store supporting Baxter Healthcare. She also traveled extensively around the United States and internationally, with Rich and Caryl and at one time with her mother-in-law, Mary Roberts, with whom she enjoyed a close relationship.

Besides Rich, who will miss his best friend, wife and partner for more than 47 years, Debbie leaves her daughter, Caryl, Milwaukee; father, Carl Heiman, Richfield; brother, Patrick Heiman (Courtney), Slinger, Wis.; sisters Samantha Heiman (Kurt Zwirlein), Slinger; and Cynthia Showers (Rick), Hillsboro, Wis.; sister-in-law Janet Roberts (Jeff Ash), Green Bay, Wis.; many nieces and nephews, and friends in Wisconsin and in the Pine Mountain community here in Arkansas.

We will celebrate Debbie's life on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at Welcome Ridge Community Church, 8249 MC 8001, Yellville, AR 72687. Friends may share their favorite memories and stories about Debbie in a visitation from 10 a.m. to noon and a celebration service beginning at noon, with Pastor Shannan Morris officiating. Following the service, the church community will greet friends and family with a dinner in her honor at the church.

Arrangements are by Roller-Burns Funeral Home in Yellville.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Burns Funeral Home
725 North Panther Ave.
Yellville, AR  72687
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com