Roberta Saalfeld, 92, formerly of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at Cedar Creek of Prairie Meadows in Omaha, Nebraska.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 3, at Federated Church with Rev. Dr. Edward Yang officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and will continue on Friday, from 10:00 AM until service time, at the church. There will be a lunch served at church immediately following the service. Private family interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Federated Church, Columbus Public Library, Columbus Community Hospital Foundation, or the Platte County Historical Society.

Roberta was born January 30, 1932, to Edward and Effie (Cox) Nielsen in Columbus.  She was confirmed and married at Federated Church in Columbus. During high school, she played the clarinet, performing on July 4, 1947, at Soldiers Field in Chicago and, later, marching in the Rose Bowl Parade. She was a wonderful musician, studying art for 20 years with Babe Dodendorf and piano with Elsie Griffiths.

Roberta rode her horses, Streak and Lindy, every chance she could.  She attended Cheley Colorado Camps for 3 years where her love of the mountains started. She graduated from Kramer High School (now CHS) in 1948.  Roberta then attended Lindenwood University in 1949. She loved equestrianship and enjoyed art. She then attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 1950 where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta.  While there, she continued her love of art and applied her skill decorating homecoming floats. She graduated in 1953 in Business.

In the summer of 1951, she and her family went to Europe for several months.  They covered 9 countries and 11,000 miles in a turquoise Buick station wagon--a trip of a lifetime. In the fall of 1953, Roberta was a Countess in Ak-sar-ben.  Her gown is displayed at the Historical Museum in Columbus.

Roberta moved to North Platte, Nebraska, after college where she met Ronald Saalfeld, who worked for Nielsen Chevrolet. They were later engaged and married on December 26,1954, in Columbus.  They then returned to Columbus where Ron worked with both Edward and Effie Nielsen in various business interests, and they raised their 3 children.

Roberta was very dedicated to many organizations in Columbus, including Friends of Music and Federated Church in various positions. A 78-year-plus member of Federated Church, she was also its oldest member. An active member of Summer Residents Association of Estes Park, Colorado, she held numerous offices and was honored as a 50-year member and the association's oldest member. She was a 50-year-plus member of P. E. O. Chapter FJ, Columbus Public School Foundation where she loved her work with scholarships and was later named 2015 Philanthropist of the Year.  She volunteered at the Columbus Community Hospital Auxiliary, Columbus Public Library, and Columbus Area Arts Council. Roberta enjoyed music, needlepoint, painting, Leaf and Petal Garden Club, Potted Mums, and various bridge groups.  Roberta loved to travel and adored her family and numerous friendships. She was very proud of Columbus and her life there. She was also very proud of her Danish heritage. She believed that the majesty of the mountains would remain in her blood, always.

After the death of her husband in 2006, Roberta remained active in many areas and always looked forward to her summers in Estes Park, Colorado, where many of her grandchildren enjoyed visiting her. On March 17, 2022, Roberta suffered a fall that affected her balance and memory, causing a slow decline in her health. The family is grateful for all the care and support given by her many friends and care staff.

Roberta is survived by:
Daughter: Conny Anderson (Andy) of Omaha, Nebraska
Grandson: Lloyd (AJ) Anderson IV (Blair) of Omaha, Nebraska
Great Grandchildren: Archer and Amelia
Granddaughter: Brandy (Joe) Steiner of Omaha, Nebraska
Great Granddaughters: Claire and Alannah
Grandson: Erik Anderson of Lincoln, Nebraska
Daughter: Karin Leatherberry (Tom) of Billings, Montana
Granddaughter: Amanda Ludwick (Daniel, DJ, Shreffler) of Billings, Montana
Granddaughter: Emily Ludwick (Keith Yeager) of Billings, Montana
Great Grandson: Grayson
Grandson: Ian Thomas Leatherberry of Huntington Beach, California
Granddaughter: Jeni (Scott) Hunt of Agness, Oregon
Great Grandchildren: Wyatt and Josie
Grandson: Aaron Leatherberry of Red Lodge, Montana
Great Granddaughter: Nancy
Cousin: Betty Gerodimos of Phoenix, Arizona
Cousin: Robert Nielsen (Shirley) of Brady, Nebraska
Cousin: Nancy Erickson (Ron) of Missoula, Montana

Roberta was proceeded in death by:
Parents: Edward and Effie Nielsen
Husband: Ronald Walter Saalfeld
Son: Christopher John Saalfeld
Brother and Sister-in-law: Edward and Jolaine Nielsen
Niece: Laurie Nielsen-Singer