Roberta Folster

Roberta Folster (Milstead), 85, died peacefully from complications due to end stage dementia in the afternoon on December 6, 2021 in Elk Grove, California.
Roberta was born on May 9th, 1936, in Quincy Illinois to Robert Marcellus Milstead and Freda Milstead (Deierling). The Milstead family moved about the country landing in cities like Vallejo California and Pensacola Florida during and after World War Two for her father’s job as a Program Director working with Military families through the YMCA/USO. Honolulu Hawaii became the family’s long term home in January 1952 and Roberta graduated from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu Hawaii, class of 1954. Attending the University of Hawaii on and off for a few years, Roberta decided to go to San Francisco California to see what life had to offer outside of Hawaii. In the late 1950’s, working for the White House Department Store, she met and married Michael Eugene Folster. They were married in August 1960. The couple raised their two boys (Todd and Bob) during the 1960’s together beginning in the San Francisco/Bay Area, moving to Southern California where Bob was born then to Louisville Kentucky, Berkley Michigan and settling back to Fairfax California in 1971. Michael and Roberta both continued their work in Retail Management during the 1970’s and early 1980’s in Fairfax. Family trips to Hawaii and Utah were interspersed with the family enjoying school sports with the boys as well as camping and adventures with family and friends throughout California. Roberta and Mike eventually divorced in 1985.and Roberta moved to Campbell California. Roberta continued to work in retail management. Living in Campbell California for many years, Roberta enjoyed working in the technology industry as an internal trainer. She enjoyed re-connecting with high school friend Anthony (Tony) Ranada as well as caring for her mother Freda who also was living in Campbell. During Roberta’s final years, she moved to Elk Grove, California to be closer to family. Throughout her life, Roberta enjoyed cooking and preparing great meals, spending time with family at birthdays, weddings or just about any reason. She enjoyed working at weddings with Tony as his assistant which we all got the benefit of wtih lots of photos of family events. She kept a wonderful home always ready for one of the boys’ friends to have dinner.
Roberta was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Freda Milstead and her sister Dianna.
Roberta is survived by her sons Todd (Teresa) and Bob (Alicia); and her grandchildren, Frank, Robert, Mia, Jonathan, Jackie, Jordan and Kiley; her great-grandchild Jacob, Lucas, Nathan, Dean, Greyson and Iyla; as well as numerous nephews and nieces.
She is also survived by her remaining sister Judy (Jim) Vallas of San Anselmo, California.
A memorial service is scheduled for January 6th, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at East Lawn Chapel at 9189 East Stockton Blvd. Elk Grove, California. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Roberta’s life