Roberta Louise “Bert” Hoenes, 100, of Union City, passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024, at her home surrounded by her family.
A memorial service will take place at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation, 1276 Tate Trail, Union City, MI 49094. Private interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Union City. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour before the service, starting at 11:00 A.M., also at Lighthouse on Saturday.
Bert was born on September 5, 1924 to Clarence and Marian (Haun) Fredenburg in Marshall, Michigan. She spent her young childhood years in Lewiston, Montana, where her father was a Homesteader. The family returned to Marshall in 1934. Due to her father’s health, a drier climate was prescribed by his doctor, so her father moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico and Bert accompanied him during the fall of her senior year in high school, while the rest of her family stayed in Marshall. She and her father returned to Michigan on December 7th, 1941, the same day the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred.
Bert graduated from Marshall High School with the Class of 1942. She then attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. On April 8, 1944, she married Rex Hoenes in Marshall. He preceded her in death on October 13, 2003. Over the years, Bert worked at Kellogg’s in Battle Creek, Dancer’s Clothing Store in Union City and Albright Building Supply in Union City. She enjoyed golfing, playing cards, sewing, knitting, puzzles, and sudoku. Bert loved music and played clarinet in dance bands during the 1940’s for school dances and on the radio. She also played clarinet in the marching band at Western Michigan University.
Bert was a member of the Red Hats and an avid fan of MSU Basketball and Detroit Tigers Baseball. When Bert turned 100 years old, a celebration was held in her honor with a large party that included a fly-over by a 1950’s military plane, congratulations from MSU head
basketball coach Tom Izzo, commendations from the Michigan State Legislature, Marshall High School and the Village of Union City.
Surviving are her son Earl (Lucette) Hoenes of The Villages, FL; daughter, Wendy (Christoper) Craig of Hampstead, NC; daughter-in-law Dawn Hoenes; son-in-law Richard Ingersoll; grandchildren, Angie Hoenes, Don Hoenes, Jr., Diana Walker, Brock Swartzle, Brady Swartzle, Morgan Porter, Robb Rosenberry, Robin Rosenberry, Roberta Rosenberry, Ian Craig, Colin Craig; many great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband Rex, she was preceded in death by her parents, son , Don Hoenes, Sr.; daughters, Judy Swartzle, and Vicki Ingersoll; grandchildren, Rod Hoenes and Brandon Swartzle; son-in-law, Joe Swartzle; brother, Earl Fredenburg and sister Florence Morey.
The family would like to thank Bert’s special caretakers Mary Rosenberry, Denice Mack, Robin Rosenberry and Deb Combs.
Memorial contributions may be made to The V Foundation for cancer research at 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513 or online at donate.v.org.
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