Obituary of Alta Bernice Roberts

On July 3rd of 1931 in Osage, Iowa Edwin and Minnie Moon rejoiced at the birth of their daughter, Alta Bernice, as she burst onto the scene beginning a life of triumph and tribulation. Alta, “Bets” to some, quickly became the tagalong in the adventure of her three older sisters, Mildred, Bertha, and Alyce, along with a brother, Russell, as the family farmed their way west eventually rooting themselves in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. Just as she was the last to join them, she was the last to leave. Life was full of opportunity and Alta was intrigued. She enjoyed attending her quaint schoolhouse and delighted in learning above her grade level, receiving special instruction in Latin. She worked hard at home and, with a glint in her eye, rebuffed any insinuations otherwise. Though she’d admit that she could be described as a precocious child, she preferred to be considered curious. And most definitely industrious. Alta married young and her assiduous streak would soon be put to use by a succession of daughters each with their own spark, but united with a nod to Alta’s beauty and zeal. Karyn came along first, soon followed LaRayne, and next Fran. Alta encountered many challenges, and ever the stubborn pragmatist, she would hurdle or dig under them all, often dusting herself off with one foot in the next adventure. A chance meeting with a lumbering tree-topper casting an admiring gaze would bring Alta to her final chapter in marriage. Alfred “Short” Roberts officially joined the fray on September 3rd of 1966 in Dillard, Oregon. They welcomed Mary, the final of the four sisters a few years later. Alta and Short would share decades together in the wild of Ft. Rock, Oregon before Short’s passing. Alta found solace in knowing he would be wrapped in her daughter Karyn’s open arms in heaven. She also maintained her claim that Short never once tamed her. Alta’s legacy lives on with us all. She'll be remembered as the striking woman that stood tall on long legs taking generous strides. She was capable and could just as likely be found baking an award winning chocolate pie for the Grange, creating patterns and sewing clothes for preemie babies, milking cows and inseminating heifers, studying her genealogy, cheating at cards, rereading another Louis L'amour novel, hosting a house of hunters, or sneaking out back for another secret cigarette. She was a force seldom crossed, one raised brow with a tilt of the head was plenty warning to herald order. Between us we’ll carry forward her widow’s pique, bony shins, sarcasm, recipes, strong grip, stories, wisdom, independence and tenacity. Her willful nature was knit into her staunch love for us all, we are fortunate to have the loss to mourn. The world dimmed on February 10, 2019 as Alta drew her last breath in the loving company of her daughter Fran and son-in-law Mark in Shelton, Washington. Alta’s death is grieved by her daughters, nine grandchildren, twenty-nine great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren as well as a marvelous host of extended family and a network of friends near and far. Alta would remark on the stoic grace of her dad, she remembered him with great fondness recalling her last memory of him as he ambled away down a path. She spoke of him looking over his shoulder with a swelling smile and glistening eyes weathered by life. He gave her a contented nod, then continued on his way. Let us find peace beyond our sorrow as we celebrate Alta following her father’s footsteps, greeted with an abundance of laughter and everlasting joy.