Oct 2, 1931-June 3, 2024
Elden C. Roberts, 92, passed away June 3, 2024, at home surrounded by family.
He was born in Enid Montana on October 2, 1931, to Kenneth E. Roberts and Julia H (Herbst) Roberts. The family moved to Illinois in 1934 and moved back to Montana in 1941. They moved to the Bitterroot Valley in 1947 and he helped with the family sawmill. In 1952 he joined the Navy and served in Korea.On August 31, 1956, he married Judy Mansfield in Missoula.
After returning to the Bitterroot Valley, he started Roberts Logging. Through the years, he worked construction building roads and digging ponds and mechanic work. He built his shop and continued to provide services to the local farmers to work on various equipment. He retired in 2020.
Elden enjoyed watching youth sports and was involved with the Victor Booster Club for many years. He loved spending time with his family, in the woods and fishing.
Over the years, Elden and Judy had an open door policy and welcomed Debbie (Montgomery) Taylor, Jason Bahr and Jake Koskela into the family. You did not have to be blood to be family.
He is survived by his children, Denise (Tommy) Townsend, Priest River, Idaho; Shelley (John) Hoffman, Stevensville; Laurie (Ed) Wildey, Victor; Mark (Jenette) Roberts, Hamilton; Jim (Kim) Roberts, Auburn, Washington; Darrell Roberts, Lincoln City, Oregon; sister Sandy Goss, Greenwood, Texas. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren: several nieces and nephews and his best friend Leo.
He was preceded in death by his wife Judy and daughter Terri, his parents, brothers Kenny, Darold and Lyle Roberts; sisters Helen Lippencott, Shirley Roberts, Hazel Ponton and Betty Erickson.
A memorial service will be on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Daly-Leach Chapel in Hamilton with a reception following in the funeral home’s community room. Interment will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Stevensville.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Victor Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 243, Victor, MT 59875.
We would like to thank the Victor Fire Department for their years of support to our family and to Elden’s caregivers who he really enjoyed. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.