Harriet J. Roberts

Feb 12, 1932 -

Aug 14, 2026

1932 brought Harriet J. Randall into this world in Storm Lake, Iowa, during the Great Depression. Harriet grew up as the youngest child on her family farm. Ms. Roberts continued to own this farm throughout her life. Harriet's favorite saying was by Mark Twain who advised people to "Buy land, they're not making it anymore." Ms. Roberts always displayed a Midwestern view of life: Pragmatic and forthright.

During World War II, Harriet assisted in the war effort by driving a tractor, assisting with the detasseling of corn, harvesting the yield, milking the cows and feeding the hogs/turkeys/chickens. She was proud of being a "clean living Iowa farm girl."

Ms. Randall graduated from Alta High School in 1950. Harriet visited her classmates every time she returned to Iowa throughout the years, keeping those friendships strong. She made it a point to visit another classmate who moved to Las Vegas, Nev., and was a Chaplain for an airline. Harriet was always a dependable friend.

Ms. Randall married Harold Woeppel after she graduated from high school. The couple settled in Storm Lake, and had one child, Shelley, in 1954. Harriet worked for Midwestern Bell Telephone during this time as a switchboard operator who daily trudged through the snow in the winter and through heat in the summer to one of the few jobs available to women at that time. Harriet sat on a stool in front of a switchboard for 10 years supporting her family. It is a real accomplishment for a woman of her era. Harriet retained friendships with her coworkers over the years and attended the telephone operator's reunion luncheons when she went to visit Iowa.

In 1961, Mr. Woeppel suffered a fatal construction-related accident.

Harriet continued working to support her family after becoming a widow. Harriet brought her mother from the farm to live for three years in town so Grandma Elsie could be cared for.

During the time between 1961 and 1964, Harriet reconnected with the help of her best friend, Ada Roberts, with a bachelor brother-in-law who worked in Alaska. Clovis Roberts remembered Harriet as the chatty Randall girl on the school bus when the Roberts family lived on a neighboring farm on the same school bus route. Harriet and Clovis Roberts corresponded for several years until they married in May 1964. Harriet and Clovis drove the Alcan Highway in June 1964. As many people were fleeing Alaska after the Good Friday earthquake of 1964, this couple drove "North to the Future."

The family moved to downtown Eagle River and joined the United Methodist Church of Chugiak. Mr. Roberts worked at Elmendorf AFB as the foreman of the exterior electric crew. Ms. Roberts was a homemaker at this time.

In July 1967, the family was blessed with a son, Joel Roberts. They lived happily in Eagle River until they bought a home on Oberg Road in Peters Creek in 1976.

The duties of a stay-at-home mother expanded when Harriet began to work with her girlfriends at Bartlett High Cafeteria. She took the People Mover commuting to Anchorage from Chugiak. Ms. Roberts earned the friendship of all her bus drivers who gave her the honorary title of "Mayor of Peters Creek."

Clovis Roberts became ill in 2010. Harriet took care of Clovis throughout his illness, and took him back to see his brother and sisters one last time by going to Iowa in summer 2012. Clovis Roberts passed away in hospice care at home in September 2012.

Ms. Roberts remained in the Peters Creek family home visited by many friends and neighbors. She could often be seen visiting with friends on her deck when the weather was good. She would wave as people honked as they drove past the house. The fire department turned on their sirens when they saw her waving at them, which made her happy. She enjoyed keeping watch over her neighborhood and liked to report on what she had observed. Harriet was her own Neighborhood Watch.

Harriet Roberts lived happily in her home until she passed in August 2026. She was supported in hospice care during her final weeks of life by the staff at Forest View Providence Tower S. Mrs. Roberts passed gently surrounded by her family.

The family is grateful for the cards and expressions of sympathy that have been received from friends and neighbors. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent the Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department.

Harriet Roberts leaves a son, Joel Roberts. Harriet is also survived by her daughter, Shelley Roberts Chapman of Eagle River; granddaughter, Caitlin Chandler and great-granddaughter, Ashlynn Chandler, both of Palmer, Alaska.

A Celebration of Life will take place at the United Methodist Church of Chugiak on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome.