January 8, 1949 – September 15, 2025
Roberta L. (Bobbi) Ream, 76, of Kenosha, WI, passed away on September 15, 2025, at Froedtert South Pleasant Prairie Hospital due to natural illnesses.
Bobbi was born on January 8, 1949, in Waukegan, IL, the daughter of the late William R. & Helen (Olson) Banedt. She graduated from Antioch Community High School (IL) in 1967. She married William (Bill) Ream on January 25, 1969. She was an avid snowmobiler in the early 1970s and served as the publicity chairwoman for the Northeastern Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs. She moved to Wilmot, WI, in 1985 and then to Kenosha, WI, in 1999. She was a former member of the Westosha Flying Club, where she received her single-engine land pilot’s license in January of 1984 and her instrument rating in October of 1986. She was also a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots’ Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and the 99’s International Women’s Pilots Association (initiated by Amelia Earhart). She and her husband owned a total of five airplanes over the years and enjoyed flying to destinations in the Midwest and to Florida. Bobbi was also a member of the United States Ski Association (USSA), where in 1993, she served as Secretary of Region 2 Central Division. She and Bill owned and operated Bill’s Service in Antioch, IL, for 25 years. She was an avid life-long Chicago Bears fan, enjoyed reading, attending concerts at Ravinia, listening to classical music, and playing the oboe.
Survivors include her children, Melissa C. Ream of South Korea, Amanda (Doug) Bartelt of Jackson, WI; grandchildren, Quimey B. Masaquiza-Ream, Santiago A. Rivera-Ream, & Derek O. Rivera-Ream; sister, Christine Banedt of West Allis, WI; cousin, Judith Johnson of Louisiana. Bobbi was preceded in death by her mother in 1961; father in 2001; husband, William Ream; and brother-in-law, William Wahab.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Antioch Rescue Squad or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are appreciated.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
