Roberta "Bobbie" (Ersland) McBain

Roberta “Bobbie” Lynn (Ersland) McBain, 74, of Belmond, Iowa passed away on Monday, July 11, 2022 at her home surrounded by loved ones.

Memorial services for Bobbie McBain will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 16, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 304 3^rd Avenue Northeast in Belmond, with Pastor Katie Pals officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery. The memorial service will be livestreamed on the church's Facebook page.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 PM on Friday, July 15, 2022 at Ewing Funeral Home, 111 Luick’s Lane South in Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Gateway Guardians (Gateway Hospice),103 2nd Ave NE in Clarion, Iowa 50525.

Bobbie was born on May 10, 1948 in Belmond to Richard Lynn Ersland and Ruth Arlene (Lein) Ersland.  Bobbie’s older brothers Gary LuVerne Ersland and Larry “Babe” Jay Ersland were thrilled to finally have a little sister to adore.  Bobbie was the youngest for four years, until her twin siblings, Randal Dean Ersland and Rebecca Jean Ersland’s arrival.  To the Ersland family, a personal walk of faith was important, therefore, Bobbie was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church (Belmond, IA).  Bobbie was born and raised an Iowa farm girl where her chores included gathering eggs, washing the bulk tank, and walking beans.  When she wasn’t busy with chores, you could find young Bobbie dancing her heart out at ballet or tap, patiently learning the piano, or getting into trouble with her best friend and neighbor, Karen Loth.  As years passed, Bobbie could be found on the stage performing in theater and debate.

Bobbie graduated from Belmond High School in 1966 and furthered her education with her best friend by her side.  Bobbie, then, found her true calling in life as a mother with the arrival of her sons, Eric Stephen Kraling and Joshua Stephen Kraling.  The boys kept Bobbie on her toes with activities such as Cub Scouts, where Bobbie found herself being the Cub Scout Leader.  Bobbie’s boys also enjoyed theater and, at 13, Eric ran lines with Bobbie for her return to the stage for the production of Cheese Cake.  Bobbie continued to further her education and, in doing so, found everlasting, unconditional love.  It was while taking courses in the midst of raising two young men that she met Larry McBain.  Larry was, and always will be, the love of Bobbie’s life.  Bobbie and Larry were married January 31, 1998 and have enjoyed life’s adventures together ever since.

The McBain’s were always the hosts for the holidays, with Bobbie’s kitchen overflowing with savory dishes.  They often snuck away from Belmond for “McBain Family Trips'' that included houseboats, road trips, and endless laughter.  When returning home, Bobbie found her time filled for 28 years with her work as a Realtor, where she guided families and individuals in their pursuit of their dream homes.  Bobbie found fulfillment in volunteering with Wright County Hospice from 1998-2018, where one year she was selected as Volunteer of the Year.  Bobbie also worked as the executive director of the Belmond Chamber of Commerce, served as the secretary and treasurer of the Wright and Hamilton County Board of Realtors for ten years, and was an active member of Toastmasters and The Woman’s Christian Club.

1992 brought boundless joy, as Bobbie began responding to “Grandma Bobbie” and, as she welcomed each grandchild and great grandchild, her heart grew and her cookie recipe was indefinitely memorized.  Bobbie’s final stage performance was in the 2018 Iowa River Players production of M*A*S*H*.

Bobbie is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Ruth (Lein) Ersland, brothers Babe and Randal Ersland, sister Rebecca Ersland, and other loved ones.

Bobbie will be deeply missed by her husband Larry, best friend Karen Rasmussen, her brother Gary (Meredith) Ersland, her sisters-in-law Jan Ersland and Beverly Hogy, her sons Eric Kraling, Joshua (Julie) Kraling, Rodney (Tanya) McBain, her grandchildren Molly, Jason, Loretta, Zach, Faith, Quinton, Avery, Mackenzie, and Austin, her great grandchildren Lincoln, Zephyr, and Diane-Krissalee, and countless friends, family, and clients.