Isaac Roberts

Isaac Roberts

TAMA-Isaac Roberts, 89, of Tama, passed away Monday, February 22, 2021 at UnityPoint-Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Traditional Graveside Services will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Meskwaki Cemetery on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama. A Traditional Wake was held Tuesday evening at the Glenn Roberts’ Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement.

Isaac was born on May 10, 1931, at home on the Meskwaki Settlement, rural Tama, the son of John and Nina (Youngbear) Roberts.

On September 10, 1960, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Wanatee in Cedar Rapids. Isaac previously worked at the Tama Meat Packing Plant. He enjoyed boxing shows, NBA Basketball, NFL Football, western movies, reading, and yard work. Isaac coached the Meskwaki Bucks from 1960-1976 and was a Tribal Chairman from 1994-1996.

Survivors include his wife of sixty-years, Elizabeth Roberts of Tama; children, Andrianne Halverson of Marshalltown, Mona Lisa Roberts of Cedar Rapids, Marian (Wasaqui) Roberts of Tama; adopted sons, Aaron Walker of Tama, Dana “Skob” Warrington of Wisconsin, Keith Mitchell of Tama, Leland Morgan of Tama, Levi Roberts of Tama, Danny Waubanasee of Tama, Donald Waubanasee of Oklahoma, and Martin Thunder of Wisconsin; adopted daughters, Jamie Awonhopay of Wisconsin, Henrietta (Harlan) Brown of Tama, Gina Kapayou of Tama, Kelly Ann Johnson of Tama, Annie Shuckahosee of Ames, and Linda Morgan of Marshalltown; thirty-nine grandchildren; and fifty-eight great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents; children, Troy, Marva, Norma, John, Esterlene Keshena; granddaughter, Nora Wind Moreno, grandson, Ian Halverson; brothers, Dewey Roberts Sr., Wilson, Ernest Sr., Elmer Sr.; sisters, Esthealene, Eunice, and E. Frances Roberts.