Roberta “Bobbie” Kay Schiffelbein, 81, Tecumseh, Kansas, passed away on April 22, 2025, at home, surrounded by family.
Bobbie was born on February 7, 1944, in Long Beach, California, to Robert Francis and Wilma Florence Meili Block. She lived in many places while her father served in the Navy. They settled in Topeka, where Bobbie attended Topeka High School and Topeka West High School, where she graduated in 1962. She met the love of her life, Charles Schiffelbein, and they celebrated 61 years of marriage together. Family meant everything to Bobbie and Charlie and they hosted many cherished holidays, gatherings and fish fries.
Bobbie went on to pursue a nursing career by first getting her LPN, so she could work and put herself through school to obtain her RN. She worked in areas such as ICU, OB and Oncology. Bobbie worked in the nursing field for over 38 years and retired in 2012 from St. Francis Health Center. She never gave up her “nursing hat” and continued to be the caretaker for all her family and friends. She also spent many years selling Home Interiors and was the go-to designer and floral arranger.
Bobbie’s first love of animals began with horses, and she had several over the years. Bobbie also loved her German Shepherds. She belonged to the Topeka Kennel Club and the German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Kansas City and volunteered selflessly for both. Bobbie took great pride and joy in raising, breeding, showing and loving dozens of German Shepherds over the years. Some of her happiest times were spent whelping puppies or going to dog shows. Bobbie and Charlie built a legacy, Charbo Shepherds, with breeding, co-owning and personally finishing multiple champions.
Bobbie was active and always on the go until the end, tending her ponies, enjoying her Shepherds, meeting friends for a coke or a margarita, making floral arrangements, gardening or spending time with her children and grandchildren. She will be truly missed.
Bobbie is survived by her beloved husband, Charles; children, Chris Schiffelbein (Tara) of Tecumseh and Tracy McCrory (Matt) of Rossville; grandchildren, Brooke, Logan and Garrett McCrory, Jacob Crawshaw (Lexci) and Ashleigh Pracht (Storm); great-grandson, Theodore Pracht; sister, Mary Graham (Virgil); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Rosary will be prayed at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 27, 2025, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where the visitation will follow until 3 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Monday, April 28, 2025, at Mater Dei Holy Name Catholic Church, 1114 SW 10th, Topeka KS 66604. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Relay for Life of Shawnee County or the Alzheimer’s Association and sent in care of the funeral home.
Condolences may be sent online to
www.kevinbrennanfamily.com
