Barbara Z Roberts

Barbara Z. Roberts died unexpectedly on June 21. She was born on August 20, 1924, in Oakland, California to Elizabeth and Herbert Leslie Zimmerman.

She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. She married Richard W. Roberts December 19, 1943. He preceded her in death as did her sisters Elizabeth Bosl, Marjorie Nixon, and Peggy Nigbor. She is survived by her daughter, Diane Roberts, son, Jack Roberts, and informally adopted son, Yemane Russom.

Barbara was a feminist involved with the National Organization for Women, the Women’s Political Caucus, The League of Women Voters, and the American Association of University Women. She admired early feminists such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, and Carrie Chapman Catt whose work led to gaining rights for women, including the right to vote. She worked to pass the Equal Rights Amendment by lobbying members of Congress and marching in rallies. As an environmentalist she was active in the Sierra Club, the Ice Age Trail Alliance, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, and Friends of Rib Mountain State Park. She led hikes and presented programs at Rib Mountain State Park and the Ice Age Trail as well as many Marathon County parks, especially the Dells of The Eau Claire.

She returned to college at the age of 38 to complete her degree in education, then taught sixth grade for 16 years in the Wausau School District. For her Master’s degree she wrote a paper on Sex-Role Stereotyping in Schools which led her to serve on the state superintendent task force on gender equity.

Her passion for travel led to Europe and many areas in the United States. She enjoyed camping at state and national campgrounds in her Roadtrek motor home with friends and her special dog, Trixi. Her grandchildren Mars and Neil each traveled and camped with her in national and state parks and forests across much of the country.

A former Republican, in the 1980s, the Reagen era, she became a Democrat. She supported equal rights for women and others, the separation of church and state, freedom from, as well as of, religion. She became a proud liberal.

In 2022, Barbara moved to Oakwood Village assisted living in Madison, close to her daughter. There she enjoyed a variety of exercise classes, walks in the gardens, and good fellowship, that kept her mobile and having fun. She often sang her favorite song which was her philosophy on life – “You’ve got to accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative. Latch on to the affirmative. Don’t mess with mister in-between.”

Barbara requested that no service be held, but those who wish to remember her go hike the trails, go dancing, play ping pong, and join an exercise class.

Memorials in her name could go to the Ice Age Trail Alliance, the Sierra Club, the Wisconsin Women's Network, the Universalist Unitarian Church of Wausau, or any other organization involved in saving our environment and helping our community.