Roberta Noreen 'Bobbi' Nygaard, 70

Roberta Noreen “Bobbi” Nygaard, 70, of Whitefish passed away on July 2, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Hospital in Kalispell. She was such a fighter and she faced her illness head-on, but once her body got too tired to fight anymore, she then faced death head-on, as well.

She was born to Robert and Isabella (Da Silva) Myers  on April 3, 1942, in Toppenish, Wash.

Bobbi and her husband Darrell moved to the Whitefish area in 1961. This September would have marked their 51st wedding anniversary.

Bobbi enjoyed Whitefish so much. She worked for the postal service for a short time and then for Lacy’s Studio, as a bookkeeper, for many years. She loved horses and went on many great horse show adventures with her friends Marilyn Young and Patty Morris in her younger years, sleeping in her horse trailer most times to save money. She also enjoyed gardening and painting.

Most of Bobbi’s life was spent serving the local church body. She was a youth group leader for 17 years for the First Baptist Church of Whitefish. Many nights you would find students all over her house for an impromptu sleepover. She loved the students as if they were her own. She always wanted every student to live their best life, not to settle and dream big. She was always one to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Many times while she was still working she would take her Christmas bonus and buy Christmas gifts for a family who had nothing. Helping others always blessed Bobbi. She spent many hours counseling women when she was the women's ministry leader for the Baptist church. She helped married couples through hard times, helped people get their finances in order; whatever the need, she was willing to help out. She did all this just to see people live well, never expecting anything in return.

Later in life she and her husband started going to Zihuatanejo, Mexico for two weeks to get out of the Montana cold. Bobbi was not content to just be “a tourist,” she always saw the needs of others and wanted to help. She would bring gifts for all the maids and workers she would meet on her stays, and she always would bring suitcases full of toys, shoes, clothes and blankets to give away to the people of Mexico. In 2003 Bobbi got to take her granddaughter Erica to Mexico, and then in 2006 her daughter Nicki and grandson Seth. In 2009 she got to share her time in Mexico with some of her “sister chicks,” a dream come true, to have her girlfriend time with some of her best friends. She always wanted to share the things she loved with those she loved. Two years ago the ladies in her church made and sent many quilts with her to Mexico to give away to all those who she had made connections with over these past 10 years. She connected with a local church in Zihuatanejo and therefore has lots of connections to the “needs” of the local people.  Even as sick as she has been, she always wanted to bless her CNAs, RNs and doctors with gifts and kind words of appreciation, and there was always a basket of chocolates in her room for the staff. She was always a popular patient; often the staff would come to see her on their days off. There was always a party going on in Bobbi’s room. Bobbi will always be remembered by those whose lives she touched. The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses who took such wonderful care of this dear lady for so many years.

“Heaven just got much richer and we here on the earth have to deal with the loss of a real treasure.”                     She is survived by her husband, Darrell Nygaard of Whitefish; one daughter, Nicki Corne' and husband Don; two grandchildren, Erica and Seth Corne' of Whitefish; one sister, Elisabeth Myers of Whitefish; and her dear friend, Kathy Svee of Whitefish; as well as many other dear friends.

Bobbi was preceded in death by her father and mother.

Interment will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 7, at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell, followed by a celebration of life at 11:30 a.m. at East Haven Baptist Church. Come dressed in your “bling” and be prepared to share a great story or memory of this lovely lady. There will be a 50s party reception to follow.

One of Bobbi’s final wishes was if you want give a lasting gift, instead of money spent on flowers, that we all give money toward helping her compassion son, Geofery in Uganda, whom they put through law school, get a home and a solid financial foundation. Mail any donations to Darrell Nygaard at 135 Stage Line Drive in Whitefish, and we'll transfer the money over to Geofery in memory of Bobbi.

Arrangements are entrusted to Austin Funeral Home. You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to share memories, condolences and view Bobbi’s tribute wall.