"My Life Since 1968" ~ Roberta Kashwer Jones

My Life since 1968:   Roberta Kashwer Jones

After graduation, I entered Burge School of Nursing in Springfield, Missouri, graduating & becoming a Registered Nurse in 1971.  I continued to work at Cox Medical Center in the ICU and ER while attending Evangel College.  In 1972, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  Later in life, I completed a Master of  Science, Nursing Administration, through the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 2008.

In March, 1974, at the invitation of Karen Thiessen Busenitz, I moved to Downey, California, near Los Angeles, sharing an apartment with a nurse friend of Karen’s.  The week I arrived, Karen took me snow skiing in the San Bernadino Mountains, and I broke my leg!  So, for the 3 months I was in a cast, I enjoyed an “extended vacation” and made new friends, including Jesse Jones, a young man who grew up in Inman, KS, and was living near Downey.  

In December, 1974, Jesse & I were married by James Thiessen, in my hometown of Tahlequah, OK.  We lived in Downey for two years, and moved back to Tahlequah in 1976, where Jesse went into a partnership with my father in the Produce Business.  We were blessed with two daughters, Kristy in 1978, and Laura in  1980.

Dec. 27, 1974 Jesse, James Thiessen, & Roberta

During these years, we were active in our local church, helped care for both of my parents, who were diagnosed with cancer, played some golf, enjoyed time at Lake Tenkiller, kept busy with our children, and did a little traveling.

Roberta & Jesse

Our daughters married young men from Bolivar, MO, that were good friends, and both daughters & husbands live in the Kansas City area.  We are blessed with two grandchildren, Peyton, 8, and Claire, 6.

L-R: Daughters Kristy Cofer & Laura Maberry with Roberta Jones

Our Family, 2018

Over the years, I have stepped in and out of the nursing profession, mostly in Emergency and Critical Care Nursing.  As opportunities came, I moved into administration, as a Head Nurse, Nursing Supervisor, and eventually as the Chief Nurse of the local hospital.  In 2004, I transferred into the VA Hospital System, where I was blessed with many amazing leadership experiences.  

In 2011, I had the opportunity to transfer to the Kansas City VA Medical Center, and since Jesse had retired, we were able to move to Trimble, MO (just north of KC) to be closer to our family.  After 45 years in nursing, I retired in April, 2017.

Hobbies over the years include water sports (swimming, water skiing, kayaking), Scuba Diving, motorcycle riding (and driving), golf, camping, cooking, and a little sewing.  We have been blessed with good friends who share similar interests and have travelled with us on many trips.

Motorcycle Trip with Jesse to Colorado, 2017

Kayak Day on Smithville Lake, near our home

Psalm 107 reminds us of the faithful love of the Lord, who redeems us, rescues us, satisfies us, calms the storm, stills the waves, loves us, and does wonderful things in our lives.  I especially love vs. 43 that reminds us to “look in our history and see the faithful LOVE of the Lord”!  How often, when finding myself in a difficult situation, I have remembered to “LOOK BACK” and see His Faithful Love bringing me to a closer to Him.