July 5, 1973 – July 2, 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Roberta (Bobbie) Anne Trupe (Balacek), who left this world unexpectedly much too early. As we remember Bobbie, we celebrate a remarkable life marked by generosity, love, family, and a quiet but powerful strength that touched everyone she met.
Bobbie was born July 5th, 1973, to Vance and Rose Balacek. From a young age, Bobbie loved music, dancing, playing piano, camping, and bowling. She loved her multiple pets and was amazingly creative with art and photography. She spent her youth growing up in Albert Lea, MN, where she graduated from high school in 1991. She attended SW State University in Marshall, MN for two years for accounting. Bobbie shared much of her time with a great group of friends, many that have stayed close throughout her adult life. Bobbie experienced her time growing up surrounded by not only her parents, her older brother Jeff, her friends, but also certainly by her extended family including her Grandparents, Aunt Anne, and Uncle John.
In March of 1997, Bobbie married Chade Trupe. Their family grew with the arrival of their first son Cameron in 1998. A few years later, in 2003, they were blessed with their second child, their daughter Madilyn. Then the family grew once more in 2006 with the addition of their second son, Colban. Bobbie loved to be ‘mom’ more than anything in the world to her children. Always dedicated, loyal, devoted, warm, loving, generous, and encouraging – her kids always came first. She was super proud of her children and all they accomplished as kids and young adults and always had a story at the ready to talk about how proud she was of them. She shared her love of arts and crafts, cooking and music with her kids throughout their lives. As her marriage to Chade ended, Bobbie continued to focus on the needs of her kids as they grew into adults.
As Bobbie’s life moved forward, she worked at Josten’s in the accounting department for many years. In the summer of 2024, Bobbie moved to Forest City, Iowa with her friend Shawn to work at Super Bowl bowling center with Shawn’s family. There, she assisted many young bowlers and helped with various positions at the business.
Bobbie is survived by her mom, Rose Balacek (Nancy Bellrichard); her dad, Vance Balacek (Sandy); her brother, Jeff Balacek; and her children, Cameron, Madilyn, and Colban Trupe.
She was preceded in death by her Grandparents, Robert and Mary Schommer, and Betty Balacek; Aunt, Anne Schommer; and Uncles, John Schommer and Jim Reiff.
A visitation and service to celebrate the life of Roberta (Bobbie) Anne Trupe (Balacek) will be held Tuesday July 15th, 2025 at St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Albert Lea, MN. Friends and family are invited to visit Bobbie’s family beginning at 11am until noon. This will be followed by a short prayer service and light lunch. Flower arrangements are welcome to be sent to the church – delivered between 10am and 11am July 15th. If you would prefer, the family has set up a fund for Bobbie’s children. Please make checks payable to The Rose Balacek Family, 10682 57th Ave N, Plymouth, MN 55442.
schottfuneralhomes.com