Roberta “Robi” Cull
Roberta “Robi” Rebekah Cull, 81, Escanaba, Michigan, died Saturday evening, September 25, 2021, after fighting a long battle with gall bladder and liver cancer. She was born September 17, 1940, in Southeastern Wisconsin to Robert and Charlotte (Demiele) Cull. Robi graduated from Emporia State University in Kansas with a Degree in Education and from the University of Washington with her Master’s in Library Science.
Robi married Robert Cleaver, a career Navy man, and the couple was blessed with a son Andrew. Later in life, she married Dean Mitchel who preceded her in death.
Robi was a true educator, spreading knowledge the way bees spread pollen. She worked at various school systems in Washington State and Arizona, both as an educator and a librarian. She was recognized by Who’s Who for her expertise as a librarian in New Mexico and was a member of the National Education Association. After her retirement from education, Robi wanted to both explore the country and contribute to the economy, and so began her trucking career. It was during one of her long- distance hauls that she fell in love with her current home in Upper Michigan, settling in Escanaba. Even her hobbies were a pursuit for knowledge, from botany and gardening, to genealogy and antique collecting, always expanding her understanding of the world. Even from the U.P., Robi was an avid Packer fan.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Heather Cleaver; foster children including Donna, Dawn and Sara; siblings, Terry (Emma) Cull, Dan (Lynn) Cull, Chris (Brad) Kobs; and a sister-in-law, Kathie Cull.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Kathy Oehme and a brother, Kenny Cull.
Family and friends will gather at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., from 10:00 to 10:40 a.m. Wednesday, when the procession will leave for the cemetery. Rabbi Moise Steigmann will officiate services in the Cnesses Israel Section of Fort Howard Memorial Park at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday.