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As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:
St. Michael, MN
Charles J. Roberts, 82, and the love of his life, Diane F. (Sorvisto) Roberts, 79, of St. Michael, MN passed away 12 hours of each other on Friday, November 6, 2020 in Minnesota. Charlie succumbed to pneumonia and Diane to Parkinson’s Disease, which she had bravely battled for 6 years.
Charlie’s story begins on November 17, 1939 where he was born in Hancock, MI to the late Hartley and Esther (Somero) Roberts. He was raised in Dollar Bay and following high school, Charlie went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Michigan Technological University. He worked for the City Of Minneapolis as a civil engineer for 39 years before retiring.
Diane’s story begins on April 17, 1941 where she was born in Hancock to the late Emil and Margaret (Hiltunen) Sorvisto. She grew up in Hancock and following high school; she earned an accounting degree and worked for a while as a bank teller. Later on she got an accounting job working for The Federal Reserve in Minneapolis and worked there for 15 years before retiring.
Charlie and Diane’s love story begins on June 11th, 1960 when they were united in a marriage that spanned 60 years! They soon moved to Champlin, Minnesota. Charlie and Diane enjoyed a life of traveling, making trips to: Russia, Finland, Scandinavia, Africa, Spain, China, and The Orient. They also traveled all over the U.S. and had friends in multiple states.
Charlie is survived by his sisters Kay Roberts and Rhoda (Bruce) Krans. Diane is survived by sisters Sandy (Jim) Whitting, Susan Bailey, brother Dennis (Lynne) Sorvisto, several cousins, nieces and nephews. Diane’s brother William Sorvisto and wife Marilyn and sister Shirley Sheehan and husband Norbert preceded her in death.
Special friends included Stretch Zirbel, caregiver Janice Rhonemus, Camilla Rose Care Center, and Guardian Angels Hospice, Otsego,MN.
A graveside service for Charles and Diane Roberts will be held at 10 am Friday, June 4, 2021, in the Lakeview Cemetery in Calumet with Paster Jerry Keranen to officiate.
To view this obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Home of Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Memorials may be donated to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.Parkinson.org.
