Roberta Burns (Baird) Senn, 57, Dickinson, loving mother, wife, business professional passed away Monday, January 11, 2010 at MedCenter One, due to complications resulting from brain cancer. Funeral services are at 11 a.m., Friday, January 15, 2010, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Dickinson with Rev. Steven Tangen officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at the Dickinson Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a prayer service at 5:30 p.m.
Roberta was born on October 7, 1952, in Dickinson, the daughter of the late Robert Burns Baird and Joyce (Wellsandt) Baird. She was raised and educated in Dickinson, attended Dickinson Public Schools, attended Priory High School in Bismarck, and graduated from Dickinson High School in 1970. She attended and graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1975 with a degree in accounting. Roberta worked for the University of North Dakota as the head of internal auditing before she and Dave moved to Dickinson where she continued to work as an accountant and in later years worked as a business professional up until the time of her death.
She married the late David F. Senn on June 8, 1974 in Dickinson and three children were born to them, Kelly, 29, Eric, 23 and Kristen, 20. Roberta was a devoted wife and mother, always thinking of others before herself. After David’s untimely death in 2001 Roberta met a wonderful man, Dean A. Kostelecky. They were married on July 5, 2003 and spent six and a half wonderful years together before her passing. Roberta and Dean spent their time traveling, whether it was weekend trips to Las Vegas, week-long getaways to Mexico, or the once of a lifetime trip to Europe. They enjoyed taking trips to visit their children and grandchildren, and spent many weekends at their lake home where they enjoyed fishing and relaxing in the sun. Roberta was especially proud of Dean’s children and grandchildren as well as her own granddaughter, Emersyn. Roberta’s family was everything to her, and her days were spent making sure everyone was always taken care of. She was the definition of kindness, generosity, class and sincerity.
Roberta was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, P.E.O, the Dickinson Library Board, Friends of the Library and Dickinson State University Alumni Foundation. She served as Secretary of the District 37 Republican Party of Dickinson, and on a number of PAC committees through the Dickinson Public Schools, as well as many other civic organizations. Roberta was committed to serving her community and actively donated to numerous organizations during her lifetime.
Roberta is survived by her husband Dean Kostelecky, her children Kelly (Brian) Garr and granddaughter Emersyn Garr, Dickinson, Eric Senn, Dickinson, and Kristen Senn, Dickinson; her three step-sons, Chad (Jessica) Kostelecky, Sydney, Mont., Jason (Julie) Kostelecky, Belgrade, Mont., Shawn (Melissa) Kostelecky, Belgrade; sisters Robin (Baird) Carlson, Kenmare, Roiann Baird, Greeley, Colo.; and one brother, Robert B. Baird, Oconomowoc, Wis.; as well as her beloved grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws who loved her very much.
Family was everything to Roberta. No matter the calling or obligation to others, time was always made for Dean, her children, and of course her grandchildren. A recent tradition of family trips to Mexico became cherished memories as it was a time for the entire family to spend together. She will always be remembered as a gracious hostess with unfailing kindness and concern for others. Her beautiful countenance and lovely smile will always be cherished by those she left behind. She will be forever missed and her family will strive to carry forward her legacy of warmth and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. John Evan. Lutheran Church, Dickinson, or the Roberta B. Senn Foundation to be established in the near future.
