Roberta Jean Cornelius, “Grandma CoCo”

Roberta Jean Cornelius, “Grandma CoCo,” 82, of the town of Pelican, passed away at home on Saturday morning, October 11, 2025, with her loving husband Thomas and her family at her side.

Roberta was born in Chicago, to Robert and Irma (Turecek) Schreiber. At the age of three, the Schreiber family moved to Pickerel, where they owned and operated the Corner Grocery. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in Pickerel and was a 1961 graduate of Antigo High School. The family lived in Pickerel until 1957, when they moved to Antigo. After high school, Roberta was employed as a waitress at Club 77. She met her future husband, Thomas Cornelius, after he returned from serving his country during the Vietnam War. The couple dated for six months, and on October 16, 1965, they were united in marriage at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pickerel. The couple then moved to Tomahawk, living there from 1968 until they moved to their home on Lake George in 1972, living there for the past 53 years. During this time, Roberta was employed at RCC in food preparation for nine years and for six years as a dishwasher. She was also employed as a waitress at the Al Gen Supper Club and, for 25 years, cleaned cabins for the many resorts that were located on Lake George.

Roberta enjoyed flower gardening, trips to Canada with her sons, watching her sons grow, and seeing them participate in school athletics, from Babe Ruth baseball to high school baseball, basketball, cross-country ski events, and triathlons. Roberta continued to support her family by attending their sporting activities up until a year-and-a-half ago.

She was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Parish, where she had assisted with the RCIA, CCD, and TEC retreat programs.

She will be remembered for her thoughtfulness, her generosity, and her giving spirit. She will also be remembered for the deep faith she had.

Surviving is her husband Thomas of 60 years, her loving family, Mark (Michelle) Cornelius of Rhinelander, and David (Michele) Cornelius of Sugar Camp, six granddaughters, Justine (Brock) Terzinski, of Rhinelander, Alyssa (Al) Zenk of Rhinelander, and Grace Cornelius of Rhinelander, Abby (Ethan) Quinter of Sugar Camp, Carmen Cornelius of Sugar Camp, and Kaylee Cornelius of Sugar Camp, four great-grandchildren, Eva, Jace, Jovie, and Haddie, and one great-grandson due this December. Also surviving is her loving sister, Susan Esker of Minocqua. Roberta is further survived by nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Irma Schreiber, a brother, Frank Schreiber, and a brother-in-law, Eugene Esker.

A visitation and memorial mass for Roberta will be held at a later date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.