In Memory

Roberta Ethel Imjela - Class Of 1954

Roberta Ethel Imjela (Washington High School, Class of 1954) passed away 19 October 2009. I am a distant cousin of her husband, Thomas J. Cottiero, Jr. I'm doing a family history & saw this site listing her as a missing classmate. Roberta was born 26 October 1936 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Otto Wilhelm Imjela (1903-1955) and Viola Margaret Sterz (1905-1970). She had a brother, Roland. Roberta’s father was from Germany. Roberta graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee in 1954. Roberta married Thomas M. Cottiero, Jr. about 1955. Thomas was born 29 November 1933 in New Haven, Connecticut, the oldest of two children of Sarah Elizabeth Melcher and Thomas M. Cottiero, Sr. Thomas attended St. Margaret’s/McTernan Boys School, Waterbury, New Haven Connecticut, and Cosby High School, Waterbury, Connecticut, graduating from Crosby in 1950. Thomas and Roberta had five children: Susan, Thomas, Jr., Cynthia Joy, Otto, and Lorraine. Thomas died 18 December 1972 and is buried in Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, El Paso, Texas. Roberta died 19 October 2009 in West Bend, Washington, Wisconsin, survived by four of her five children and 16 grandchildren.

The following obituary for Roberta was published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 23 October 2009: Roberta Ethel Cottiero. Born in Milwaukee to Otto and Viola Imjela, October 26, 1936, died October 19, 2009, at 3:00 AM, at St. Joseph's Hospital in West Bend. Roberta had many jobs, but her most rewarding one was as a wife and mother and a wonderful granny. Predeceased by her parents, husband Thomas, brother Roland and her beloved daughter Cynthia Joy. Survived by her sons Thomas and Otto; daughters Susan and Lorraine (James), and her 16 grandchildren. Memorial services will be held on Monday, October 26 at 7:00 PM, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 140 N. 7th Ave., West Bend, 262-334-2125, with visitation beginning at 6:00 PM. Hope this helps & good luck finding additional classmates for your 100th anniversary. Lindsay Nichols Leesburg, VA

Info from Lindsay Nicholson <LndsyNchls@aol.com>