Roberta Ruth Semonski “Rusty”, age 88, of Hackettstown died Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Hackettstown, NJ.  Roberta was born December 7, 1937 in Netcong, NJ to the late Ernest and Elsie (Baxter) Batson.  In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband Joseph Semonski, her daughter, Valarie Riedel, her brother, Malcolm Batson and her sister Elaine Allen.

Rusty was raised in Netcong, NJ.   As a young woman, she became a model, tap dancer and singer. She met and married Joseph Semonski when she was 17 years old. They became local musicians for years.  Rusty entertained with her beautiful voice and Joe played the accordion along with other musicians in the band. Joe and Rusty raised six girls in Great Meadows, NJ that all inherited singing voices from their mother.  The girls eventually became regulars with the Lawrence Welk Show for three years and Rusty was often seen on the show dancing with Mr. Welk.  He often said that Rusty was his favorite polka dancer.  She always loved cooking, taking care of her family and enjoyed being a homemaker. She cherished not only her daughters but her grandchildren and great children as well.  She was an incredible woman who lead an incredible life.

Rusty is survived by her five daughters, Diane Esparza and companion Robert, Donna Bauer and husband Wayne, Joanne O’Brien and husband James, Audrey Altemose and husband David and Michelle Wiswall and husband Donald, 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

All services are private and under the direction of Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ.  Burial will be in Pequest Union Cemetery, Great Meadows.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial & Honor Program, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942 in memory of “Rusty”.