Roberta (Dalke) McLaughlin, 96

Roberta (Dalke) McLaughlin, 96, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Health Center Northwest in Kalispell, with her niece by her side. She was born on March 7, 1913, in Hot Springs, the daughter of John and Lyda (Dondanville) Bras. She graduated from Missoula County High School in 1930. After graduation, she attended the University of Montana Western for a short time and then transferred to the University of Montana where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education and taught school for a short time. After passing a civil service exam, Roberta went to work in the accounting division of the Forest Service in Missoula, where she worked for nine years. While working in Missoula, she met and married Robert Dalke in 1941. Those were the war years, so they moved to Los Angeles and she continued to work for the Forest Service. After the war, she and Bob moved to Kalispell, where they bought and ran the Park Inn. Bob died in a drowning accident in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area in 1959. In 1963 Roberta married Harold McLaughlin. They lived in Kalispell and spent their winters in Hawaii. Roberta loved the out of doors and was an avid golfer. She and Harold belonged to Montana Seniors and Western Seniors Golf Association, and Roberta was an active member of Buffalo Hill Golf Course until she was 90. They played in numerous tournaments every year until Harold s death in 1994. She also loved bridge, and played and won many hands of duplicate bridge. She lovingly volunteered her time at the hospital, knitting many sweaters for babies born in Kalispell. She belonged to the hospital volunteers, G.O.C., Ladies Golf Association and many other local clubs. Roberta traveled extensively, venturing off to North and South Africa, South and Central America, New Zealand, Australia and several trips through Europe. Halibut fishing off the coast of Alaska with her dear friend Lil was also high of favorite trips. Roberta loved hiking in Glacier Park, hunting and fishing with her husband Bob, who was an avid sportsman. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years, having served as a deacon. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert Dalke and Harold McLaughlin; her beloved sister, Jean Marcure; and her parents. She is survived by her sister, Pauline Albers, and her husband, Elmer, of Seattle; niece, Sharon Heaton, also of Seattle; Sharon s four children, Russell Heaton and wife, Julie, and their eight children of Kalispell, Rhonda, Shannon and Heather, and their families; nephew, Jack Marcure; and niece, Janice Payne, and her daughter, Kari Bentson, and her husband, Mark, and their two children, Abbey and Ryan, of Billings. Private family services will be held at a later date. There will be a celebration of her life for family and friends at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, at her home at 759 N. Main in Kalispell. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Roberta s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Roberta s guest book, offer condolences and share memories.