Roberta Dentler

Roberta Adele Dentler, born in Constantine, MI on June 12, 1941, passed away on November 30, 2022. She suffered a heart attack a few days prior and was taken to the Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids where she spent the next few days, thankfully pain free, surrounded by family before passing during heart surgery.

Roberta (better known to most as Berta) was born to Robert and Lois Sims and raised on a farm near Marcellus along with her younger brother, Randy. Many of her lifelong values were rooted in those beginnings - including those of hard work and dedication. She never slowed down or lived a “retired” life!

She met Charlie Dentler in high school, where they were sweethearts, and two years after graduating from Marcellus High School in 1959, they got married. Berta worked at the Gibson guitar factory and still has a ukulele made there. Later she dedicated herself to raising their two children, Brian and Melanie. Family was everything to her. She loved learning about her ancestry, making family photo albums, and spending time with her continually growing family. She was so excited every time a new great-grandchild was born, and she loved to be known to them as G.G. (Great Grandma).

Berta not only valued her relationships with her immediate family, but also loved to stay connected with her extended family. Beyond her blood relatives, Berta had the tendency to collect “family” members everywhere she went, taking in anyone in need of her love. She was “Mom,” “Grandma,” “Sister” and “Aunt” to people from many corners of the world.

In her typical fashion of never slowing down, Berta decided to pursue her career as a recreational therapist when she was 42. She graduated from Grand Valley State University and spent many years helping students in the Grand Rapids area. Her professional career took many twists and turns as she earned a master’s in public administration and pursued different jobs, but her value of helping those who needed it most tied all of it together. Anyone who knew Berta knew her to be a feisty force for good in this world!

After Charlie died, she combined her love of adventure and travel with her love to help others. She used her skills, learned and innate, to teach kids in many contexts. For part of a summer she taught at Rehoboth Christian School in New Mexico. She taught in Bolivia at Santa Cruz Christian Learning Center for one year. After that she went to Guinea, West Africa to teach at Hamdallaye Mission School, where for two years she taught in the classroom and through life experiences. Later she went on a mission trip to Guatemala as well and helped build homes for needy families. Throughout all of her travels she touched many lives and fulfilled many dreams.

Roberta always was interested in her ancestry and as a result of her mother’s involvement she joined the Daughters of the American Revolution, participating in the Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton Chapter in Holland, MI beginning in 2013. During her later years she contributed as much as she received through this group, including serving as regent and participating in many service opportunities - wreath placement, school pen pal program, writing grants, and visits to veteran facilities.

Throughout her life, Roberta held many titles. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandma, G.G. and loving friend to so many. The most important title she held was daughter of the King of Kings. She spent many hours praying for those that she held dear. Hours before her surgery, she chose her favorite chapter to be read, Isaiah 40, and was especially comforted by verse 31, which reads: “they will soar on wings like eagles.” There is no doubt that she’s doing just that now - and probably gathering all her many forms of family who have gone before her to enjoy time together…and some of her oatmeal raisin cookies!

Roberta was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lois Sims; her brother, Randy; her beloved husband, Charles Ray Dentler; and she is survived by her children, Brian (Bev) Dentler and Melanie (Ed) Zwyghuizen; grandchildren Jen (Nate) Parmenter, Christy Dentler, Melissa (Prentice) Carter, Gabe (Sarah) Zwyghuizen, Phil (Lindsey) Dentler, Christian Zwyghuizen (Autumn Sharkey), Greta (Hunter) Maat; and great-grandchildren Elliot, Leo, Roman, Juniper, Mira, Ngila, Elias, and Robin.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 from 11am-1pm at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, MI. Family and friends will gather to visit, share memories and a meal. There will be no formal service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made at 20liters.org/robertadentler.