Delaney Grace McRoberts

With deepest sorrow, the family of Delaney Grace McRoberts announces that Delaney, age 24, ran out of time in her battle with cancer on April 18, 2023, in the presence of her family at her home in Des Moines.

Services for Delaney will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Celebrate Community Church in Knoxville, Iowa. Family will receive friends on Friday, April 28, 2023, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. also at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be designated at a later date to several of many organizations and causes that deeply touched Delaney during her journey.

Delaney battled cancer fiercely and with never-ending grace for the past fifteen months. Her family thanks all of the doctors, nurses, and those who have prayed for her and supported her. A very special thanks to Dr. Richard Deming and nurse navigator, Deana Kerkove, whom Delaney adored and who provided support, guidance, and most of all, love throughout her fight.

Delaney Grace McRoberts was born February 11, 1999, to Steve and Colette McRoberts. Delaney grew up in her beloved hometown of Knoxville, Iowa. She was a talented dancer on her high school dance team. She graduated from Knoxville High School in 2017.

Delaney met her soulmate, Joe Mitchell, while working at Fareway during her junior year of high school. While Joe was working up the courage to ask Delaney out, she took the first step and asked him to be her co-ed partner for the spring show dance. And so, their storybook love story began. Joe proposed on June 30, 2022, at Grey’s Lake Park. Delaney was excited to be the wife of a Des Moines fireman.

Delaney received a degree in Early Childhood Education from UNI. Working with kids was her true calling. She was to begin her dream job of teaching kindergarten, but began her fight against cancer instead. Throughout numerous appointments, chemotherapy and immunotherapy sessions, and hospitalizations, Delaney remained focused on her family’s well-being and welfare.

Those left behind to honor Delaney include her fiancé, soulmate, and the love of her life, Joe Mitchell; mother, Colette McRoberts; father, Steve (Lynnette) McRoberts; brother, Connor McRoberts; sister and best friend, Hallie McRoberts; stepbrothers, Dylan and Kody Kramer; grandmother, Betty McRoberts; bonus parents and family, Jim and Sharon Mitchell; along with many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Delaney was preceded in death by her grandparents, Carl and Ruth Schwanebeck; grandfather, Robert McRoberts; uncle, Kevin Daugherty; and cousin, Joe Schwanebeck.