Roberta (Bert, Berta) Plattner Windle

Roberta (Bert, Berta) Plattner Windle, 85, passed from this life on 28 September 2026 at Spring Arbor Assisted Living facility in Frederick, Maryland.

Roberta was born 19 October 1940 in Pekin, Illinois. She was the daughter of the late Richard Harold Plattner and Barbara Ann Gerber Plattner. She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years and the love of her life, Allan (Al) Lee Windle.

Upon graduation from high school in 1958, Roberta enrolled in the Brokaw Hospital school for Nursing, a three-year intensive training where students received instruction in formal science, nursing theory, and hands-on patient care. She obtained her nursing diploma from this program in the early 1960’s, and worked in a hospital as a staff nurse, head nurse, and eventually a supervisor in the field of medical-surgical nursing. Wanting to further her education, she attended Northern Illinois University at DeKalb, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Nursing. In 1971, she received a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in medical-surgical nursing from the University of Colorado. She made friendships during nursing school that lasted the rest of her life and spoke of this season with great fondness.

Roberta relocated to Maryland and taught nursing at Prince George’s Community College. During this time, she was an active member of Mount Oak Methodist Church (Bowie, MD) and made many lifelong friends there. It was at Mount Oak that she met Allan Windle. The couple got married on 31 August 1974.

Early in her marriage, Roberta left the field of nursing and began working at a local Bernina retailer, simultaneously paying off her new sewing machine while learning how to use it. Eventually, she became so proficient she taught classes there herself. Many family members and friends received handmade gifts, and her stuffed elephants (“Bertaphents”) became the plush creatures of legend, with many surviving to be passed on to future generations.

Ten years after marrying Al, she welcomed her only child, Richard Windle, into the world. Having a son was a new “job” in which she delighted with all her heart. She supported him in his many endeavors, and became involved in various parent organizations, Odyssey of the Mind, and Young Life.

Having also been a musician for most of her life (in high school, she started with the clarinet and eventually became accomplished on the bassoon), she played the organ for Bast Funeral Home in Boonsboro, Maryland and multiple churches in the area.

Roberta was generous with her love, her friendship, and her laughter. She was endlessly creative, and pursued photography, sewing, calligraphy, painting, crochet, and even became famous within the circle of those who knew her for her decorative Lindt chocolate gift baskets. She also loved to travel and host gatherings at her home. Most of all, she loved her family, friends, and the Lord. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Roberta is survived by her son, Richard Windle (Shana) of Urbana MD, her step-daughters Carol Cotten of Harrisville, WV, Susan (Glenn) Shive of Pullman, WV, Ellen (Andrew) Feerst of Vienna, VA, and Alice (Kenneth) Collins of Harrisville, WV; her two sisters, Lin (Ron) Wabel of Bozeman, MT, and Richie (Blair) Hills of Charleston, WV; and numerous nephews and nieces, great nephews and nieces, and step grandchildren.

Roberta will be laid to rest next to Al at Boonsboro Cemetery in Boonsboro, MD. A celebration of Roberta's life will take place at 1:00 PM on Friday 9 October 2026 at Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church in Frederick, MD. Pastor John F. Armstrong, Jr. will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church, 8158 Yellow Springs Road, P.O. Box 1148, Frederick MD 21702.