Generations at the Table
Biographies:
Roberta (Walker) Wickenden
Roberta Walker was born in November of 1907 to Robert Walker and Elsie Jaensch in Vallejo, California.[1] [2] Her father was a newspaper publisher for The Times-Herald in Vallejo,[3] having taken over management of the paper in 1910.[4] Her mother had grown up nearby in Napa and was the daughter of German immigrants.[5]
Roberta was an only child, though her childhood did not appear to be too lonely. She not only kept busy with a large circle of friends,[6] [7] [8] but she was also able to strongly pursue various interests. Perhaps following in her mother’s footsteps,[9] Roberta studied music and showcased her budding talent by performing in several shows and recitals.[10][11] She also excelled in dance,[12] and participated in theatre productions during her time in high school where she could put her years of study to use.[13]
In 1923, Roberta and her parents relocated from Vallejo to Sacramento.[14] Her father, Robert, was appointed by Governor Friend Richardson to be Cost Expert for the California State Division of Printing.[15] Robert most likely knew the governor personally as they had both served as officers of the California Press Association,[16] and it was rumored that Robert was next in line for appointment as head of the printing office due to his support of the Governor.[17] Perhaps as a result of quarreling within the printing office, Robert was removed from his position the following year in 1924,[18] though the family stayed in Sacramento until after Roberta finished school.
Roberta seems to have acclimated to her new life in Sacramento rather well. She was quick to make many new friends in her new home,[19] [20] joined the Girl Reserves club at school,[21] and made honor roll in her first year.[22] She graduated from Sacramento High School in June of 1925[23] and continued her education at UC Berkeley where she graduated with a degree in History in 1930.[24]
Several months following her graduation, Roberta married Winston Wickenden in a small ceremony in Oakland.[25] [26]. The couple presumably met while both were attending university, though Winston graduated a year prior to Roberta in 1929.[27] Following the wedding, the couple honeymooned in Southern California for a time before heading north to Agua Caliente to celebrate the new year and finally settling in the Stockton area.[28]
Winston was part of a large and influential pioneer family in the Santa Maria Valley and surrounding area, and he grew up there before moving north to attend school in Berkeley. His grandfather, Frederick Wickenden, had arrived in California from England and eventually settled on his wife’s family property in the Sisquoc area in 1862.[29] Frederick’s wife, Ramona, belonged to the Foxen family[30] and was the granddaughter of Jose Tomas Antonio Olivera, an early settler of the Tespusquet area through a Mexican Land Grant issued in 1837.[31] On his mother’s side, Winston’s grandparents had immigrated from Germany in 1870 and opened a popular butcher shop in nearby Lompoc, later expanding to Los Alamos.[32]
Following his graduation from college, Winston was employed by the Libby-McNeil-Libby canning company in Lodi as Superintendent of their offices and later as a ranch manager.[33] After their marriage, Roberta and Winston initially lived on company ranch property in the area,[34] though they later purchased land where they completed building a new home in 1938.[35] [36] While in Lodi, Roberta stayed busy with various social and community based projects, including becoming certified by the Red Cross as a Home Nurse.[37] [38] [39] [40] A son was born in 1933, who they named John Robert.[41] Roberta was heavily involved with John’s education and engagement in various social activities, including Boy Scouts and dance lessons and performances.[42] [43] [44] [45] A second son, Robert Winston, was born in October of 1941, though he passed away at only a few days old.[46] [47]
The family’s time in Lodi ended in the summer of 1945 when they moved to Santa Maria. Winston left his job at the canning company to return to work on his family’s ancestral ranch, and the couple purchased a home on E Orange St.[48] [49] Living in town rather than out at the family ranch would have put John in better proximity to area schools and community resources, which he took advantage of by joining a local boy scout troupe[50] and excelling as a star football player.[51] John graduated from high school in 1950 and left for the Bay Area to attend college.[52]
Roberta appears to have embraced her new home in Santa Maria. Not only did she stay active in John’s activities and education prior to his leaving for university,[53] but she also made plenty of time for her own endeavors. She joined the Minerva Club in 1947[54] and later joined the American Association of University Women[55] as well as the Good Timers Club[56] and Santa Maria Valley Beautiful.[57] Along with Winston, she was a charter member of the Santa Maria Historical Society, which formed in 1955.[58] She also continued working with the Red Cross and received certification as a social welfare aide in 1950, which allowed her to assist in the Red Cross field office at nearby Camp Cooke (now Vandenberg Space Force Base).[59] [60]
In 1956, Roberta and Winston were able to spend two and a half months traveling in Europe. Their travels took them through England and France as well as Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.[61] They enjoyed traveling earlier in their marriage as well, with a trip to Cuba in 1931[62] and a trip with Winston’s parents to Mexico City in 1937.[63]
The last several years of Roberta’s life seem to have been quiet, and she passed away in September of 1985 at the age of 77.[64] Winston continued to live in Santa Maria until he passed away in 2000 at the age of 85.[49]
Citations
[1] Birth Record for Roberta Walker. State of California. California Birth Index, 1905-1995. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics. Ancestry.com (accessed 23 February 2026)
[2] 1910 U.S. Census, population schedule, Vallejo Township, Solano County, California, Enumeration District [ED] 187, sheet 2B, Robert Walker household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T624, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 25 February 2026).
[3] Obituary for Robert Walker. Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 11 August 1958, pg 2
[4] “Daily Times Changes Hands.” The Times-Herald, Vallejo, California, 1 January 1910, pg 1
[5] 1920 U.S. Census, population schedule, Napa Township, Napa County, California, Enumeration District [ED] 96, sheet 1, Ernst Jaensch household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T623, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 25 February 2026).
[6] “Little Miss Held Birthday Party.” The Times-Herald, Vallejo, California, 28 July 1912, pg 1
[7] “Personal Mentions.” The Times-Herald, Vallejo, California, 4 September 1920, pg 8
[8] “Dorothy Dickey is Given Merry Party Before Leaving for Fairfax.” The Times-Herald, Vallejo, California, 13 January 1922, pg 3
[9] “Wed in Vallejo.” The Times-Herald, Vallejo, California, 18 December 1906, pg 2
[10] “Musical Students Show up Well at Recital.” The Times-Herald, Vallejo, California, 22 December 1915, pg 3
[11] “Miss Green’s Pupils Give Fine Musicale.” The Times-Herald, Vallejo, California, 24 December 1916, pg 1
[12] “Dancing Pupils to Give Party on June 29th.” The Times-Herald, Vallejo, California, 23 June 1916, pg 8
[13] “Fifty-One Students to Graduate V.H.S.” The Times-Herald, Vallejo, California, 5 June 1922, pg 1
[14] “Walker Leaves for Sacramento.” Vallejo Evening News, Vallejo, California, 1 March 1923, pg 4
[15] “Walker is Named to Printing Job.” The Sacramento Union, Sacramento, California, 3 March 1923, pg 1
[16] “Richardson Heads Press Association.” The Sacramento Union, Sacramento, California, 9 June 1923, pg 1
[17] “R.W. Walker Said to be In Line for State Printer Position.” Vallejo Evening News, Vallejo, California,7 November 1924, pg 1
[18] “Reported that Rob’t W. Walker Has Lost State Position.” Vallejo Evening News, Vallejo, California, 13 November 1924, pg 1
[19] Social News. The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California, 1 December 1923, pg 10
[20] “Social Notes.” The Sacramento Star, Sacramento, California, 14 January 1924, pg 5
[21] “Clubs.” The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento, California, 13 October 1923, pg 8
[22] “184 Students of S.A.C. on Honor Tablet.” The Sacramento Star, Sacramento, California, 24 November 1923, pg 1
[23] “High School Will Graduate Largest Class in its History.” The Sacramento Union, Sacramento, California, 2 June 1925, pg 16
[24] Commencement Record for Roberta Edna Walker, University of California, Berkeley. Register of the University of California. Oakland [etc.]: The University, 1930, HathiTrust [hathitrust.org], accessed 2 March 2026
[25] “Miss Roberta Walker Becomes Bride of Winston Frederick Wickenden at Morning Service.” Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, 31 December 1930, pg 5
[26] Marriage Certificate for Winston Wickenden and Roberta Walker. Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1850-1941, California State Archive, Ancestry.com (accessed 23 February 2026)
[27] “Bride-Elect is Honor Guest at Bridge Luncheon Given by Mrs. Joseph Jerome Bonneau at Club.” Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, 15 April 1930, pg 31
[28] “Wickenden Walker Wedding Event in Oakland Tuesday.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 2 January 1931, pg 5
[29] Contreras, Shirley. “Heart of the Valley: The Success of Frederick Wickenden.” Santa Maria Times, 16 July 2017, https://santamariatimes.com/lifestyles/columnist/shirley_contreras/heart-of-the-valley-the-success-of-frederick-wickenden/article_5ff273d5-8373-51c5-ad49-644f3876b7a7.html
[30] Dale, Judith. “William Benjamin Foxen - A Santa Barbara County Pioneer,” Santa Maria Times, 5 June 2020, https://santamariatimes.com/lifestyles/columnist/judith-dale-william-benjamin-foxen----a-santa-barbara-county-pioneer/article_235a1168-ea0b-5d21-879c-cc24a0ff475b.html
[31] Contreras, Shirley. “Jose Tomas Antonio Built a Rancho on Tepusquet Canyon in 1837,” Santa Maria Times, 4 March 2012, https://santamariatimes.com/lifestyles/columnist/shirley_contreras/jose-tomas-antonio-built-a-rancho-on-tepusquet-canyon-in-1837/article_29734e36-65b9-11e1-a2df-001871e3ce6c.html
[32] Cram Rossi Carlberg, Lily. “Picnic in the Cemetery,” Ancestors West, Summer 2005, Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society, sbgen.org (accessed 17 March 2026)
[33] Coffee. The Lodi Sentinel, Lodi, California, 10 July 1945, pg 4
[34] “Return to Lodi.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 4 September 1934, pg 3
[35] Deeds. The Lodi Sentinel, Lodi, California, 26 April 1938, pg 9
[36] Miscellaneous. The Lodi Sentinel, Lodi, California, 29 April 1938, pg 2
[37] “Mrs. Fairchild, Mrs. Wardrobe Hostesses at Bridge Luncheon.” The Lodi Sentinel, Lodi, California, 24 March 1932, pg 4
[38] “Breakfast is Served by Omega Nu to Honor Grand President Orion Barceloux.” The Lodi Sentinel, Lodi, California, 4 October 1937, pg 4
[39] “82 Birthday Fund Donors Are Listed.” The Lodi Sentinel, Lodi, California, 14 December 1939, pg 4
[40] “Home Nursing Cards Ready.” The Lodi Sentinel, Lodi, California, 22 October 1942, pg 1
[41] Vital Statistics. The Stockton Daily Evening Record, Stockton, California, 10 January 1933, pg 18
[42] “Committees Named for PTA Fair Project.” The Lodi Sentinel, Lodi, California, 31 May 1941, pg 2
[43] “Omega Nu to Sponsor Egg Hunt and Easter Fashion Pageant at Women’s Club.” The Lodi Sentinel, 6 April 1936, pg 6
[44] “Rhythm Band Gives Program for Rotarians.” The Lodi Sentinel, Lodi, California, 9 June 1939, pg 12
[45] “Rotary Club Pack Holds First Monthly Meeting.” The Lodi Sentinel, Lodi, California, 24 March 1942, pg 3
[46] Birth Record for Robert Winston Wickenden, San Joaquin County, California Birth Index, 1905-1995, Ancestry.com (accessed 31 March 2026)
[47] Death Record for Robert Winston Wickenden, San Joaquin County, California, US Death Index, 1940-1997, Ancestry.com(accessed 21 March 20206)
[48] “Winston Wickenden Returns to S.M.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 13 July 1945, pg 3
[49] Obituary for Winston Wickenden. Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 21 September 2000, pg 2
[50] “Scount Camp on Sand at Oceano.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 30 July 1945, pg 3
[51] The Breeze. “Out of the Past,” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 4 November 1949, pg 2
[52] “S.M. Students Leave for Colleges and Universities.” Santa Maria, California, 14 September 1950, pg 4
[53] “Dr. Minna Hansen Speaks on “Youth” at Tea.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 16 February 1949, pg 5
[54] “Minerva Club Gives New Member Party.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 22 March 1947, pg 3
[55] “Doll Collection Pleases Audience.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 17 September 1953, pg 4
[56] “Good Timers Set Annual Barbeque Tuesday Night.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 23 September 1950, pg 4
[57] “S.M. Valley Beautiful Plans Landscape Awards.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 7 March 1964, pg 6
[58] “Historical Society to Form at S.M. Inn Dinner.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 8 August 1955, pg 4
[59] “Welfare Aides Graduated by Red Cross.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 19 October 1950, pg 1
[60] “Mrs. J J Ahern Named Red Cross Vice-Chairman.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 25 October 1950, pg 8
[61] “Wickendens Return Home from Europe.” Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 31 October 1956, pg 4
[62] Society Notes. Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 12 October 1931, pg 3
[63] Society Notes. Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California 16 November 1937, pg 3
[64] Obituary for Roberta W. Wickenden. Santa Maria Times, Santa Maria, California, 29 September 1985, pg 26
Notes
Illustrations on this site are AI generated and not actual representations of the individuals written about, their homes, or anything else factual.
Exact addresses are not included for any place that appears to be, or could potentially be, in current use as a personal residence.
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