Roberta S. Cloyd of Rapid City and formerly of Sheridan, WY died at the age of 92 on June 23, 2011 at Fountain Springs Health Care.

Roberta was born in Sheridan, WY, on July 23, 1918 to Robert LeRoy Severance and Ethel Shively Severance.

She graduated from Sheridan High School in 1935 and married Ralph N. Cloyd on June 9, 1938. She attended the University of Wyoming and Sheridan College majoring in primary education and child psychology.

Roberta taught in rural schools in Sheridan County for 3 years and substituted several years in School District #2 Schools. With the help of several interested parents, Roberta helped organize the first educational Pre-School in Sheridan. She directed and taught at the Community Nursery School, starting with eight students and one mother-helper growing to about 100 students, three teachers, and several paid aides, for 19 years.

Roberta was past President of Sheridan Junior Women’s Club, past Regent of the Sheridan Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, past Moderator of Presbyterian Women in Sheridan and Rapid City. She was a member of Early Childhood Education Association and New Neighbors Social Club. She was also very active as a Girl Scout Leader.

Roberta and Ralph lived in Sheridan until 1991 when they moved to Rapid City.

Roberta loved working with children, enjoyed oil painting, crocheting, sewing, gardening, cooking, entertaining, and camping in the Big Horn Mountains. She was the happiest when doing for others. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren, doing things with and for them.

After retirement, Roberta and Ralph traveled to Europe, Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand as well as to visit their grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph N. Cloyd, her parents: Robert LeRoy Severance and Ethel Severance Dauderman; as well as a brother, Chester Snively Severance.

Roberta is survived by her daughter Joanne (Jodi) Groskopf (Lee) of Rapid City and her son Robert Cloyd (Juliann) of Sioux Falls. Her grandchildren are Lisa Cloyd, Robb Cloyd, Kaci Vlieger (Brandt), Alex Cloyd, and Michael Groskopf (Sarah). Her great grandchildren are Jackson Robert Cloyd, Allie JoEllen Vlieger, Kinley Marie Vlieger, Brooks Robert Vlieger, Chance Lee Groskopf, and Madyson Lynn Freewaldt. Nieces are Julie Mitchell (Parke), Cheryle Guth, Carole Larabee, Kathy Kaats (Doug), June Freilinger, Janis Clarke, and Jean Poll. Nephews are Roger Cloyd, Kenneth Robb (Vicki) and David Robb. Special cousins are Howard and Shirley Snively, Lennie and Larry Haug, Jean Nyby, Roberta Snively.

Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 1, at Westminster Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bob Jacobs officiating. Burial will be at Black Hills National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. following the luncheon.

Memorials may be sent to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rapid City.

Her online guestbook is available to sign at www.osheimschmidt.com.

The Sheridan Press - June 28, 2011.