Verona Sue Roberts

Verona Sue (Boomgaarden) Roberts, 70, passed away peacefully at her home in Lee’s Summit, MO, on August 8, 2020.

The daughter of Rev. Neelo and Vera Boomgaarden, Verona was born on November 22, 1949, in Rock Rapids, IA. She graduated from Fullerton High School of Fullerton, NE, in 1968, and went on to attend Hastings College where she met her future husband, David. They fell in love, married, and to their union were born four children.

Along with being a loving wife and mother, Verona worked in various roles, primarily in administrative work. She started out in the accounting department at Macy’s of Downtown Kansas City before spending several years performing executive administrative work for Blue Springs Bank. She was employed with the CJC Fire Department and the Blue Springs School District as an administrative and library aide. In parallel with these jobs, she maintained a tight ship at home; everything was well-organized with a long list of daily and weekly chores to be completed. She instilled strong moral values and a hard work ethic in her children. But being a grandmother was her favorite job of them all. She regularly sought out time with her grandchildren. Whether it was attending one of their many activities, teaching them to craft, or curling up for a favorite movie and popcorn, she soaked up every minute of it.

Verona pursued many passions throughout her life. In her early years, she twirled the baton and served as the majorette for her high school band. Whether she was playing the French horn in school or leading the family in Christmas carols at the piano, her love of music poured out of her. The music she loved most was Elvis (though that might not have been solely for his music). She enjoyed spending time on any type of craft making. She would buy something ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary by putting “Verona’s touch” on it. She often blessed her friends and family with her creations as gifts—floral arrangements, photo albums, tie blankets, painted pottery, hand-sewn goods, and other crafts. She spent the last 10 years of her life making jewelry of all types. She rarely sold her work; she would simply give them as gifts to her family and friends and, of course, she kept a huge stash for herself! You could say she was always well-adorned. Verona was also passionate about her retail therapy; she loved the experience of buying clothes, shoes, and home décor but mostly enjoyed the time with others shopping.

In her retirement years, swimming, games and luncheons were a daily event with the friends she made through the YMCA. In the summer season, Verona and Dave could be found spending quality time at the lake. They boated for years on Blue Springs Lake until they purchased a vacation home on the Lake of the Ozarks in 2006. Verona cherished her time on the dock or boat or riding waves on the jet ski with her family and friends.

Verona had an upbeat, bubbly personality that everyone adored (or at least took notice of). She was the loudest and most supportive cheerleader in the stands, her kids’ biggest cheerleader. She cherished each moment spent with her loved ones. Holidays were a true demonstration of her zeal for gatherings and hosting parties, particularly Christmas. She would have a different theme each year for Christmas with over-the-top décor, a program and food to match. She wanted everyone to feel the joy and magic of the holidays. She welcomed anyone and everyone and will be dearly missed by all.

Verona is survived by her beloved husband of fifty years, David Roberts; her son, Dr. J.D. Roberts (Columbia, MO); her son, Adrian Roberts (with wife Christi in Pleasant Hill, MO); her daughter, Laurie Bloom (with husband, TJ and two children, Emma and Kendall, in Lee’s Summit, MO); her son, James Roberts (with wife, Mendy, and two children, Logan and Kinsley, in Argyle, TX); her brother, Jon Boomgaarden (with wife, Irene, and three children and three grandchildren); and her sister-in-law, Joan Boomgaarden (Omaha, NE).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Neelo and Vera Boomgaarden, and her brother, Neelo “Dan” Boomgaarden.

A visitation is scheduled for Thursday, August 13, from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. with a Celebration of Life to follow at 1:30 p.m. Both the visitation and Celebration of Life will be held at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St. in Independence, MO.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) in memory of Verona.

Please share fond memories and condolences at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel - 816-373-3600)