Roberta E. Swan

Roberta Evelyn Swan, 81, peacefully passed away on September 21st at Peace Hospice after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral liturgy will be held Friday, September 27, 2013 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 10 a.m. with inurnment to follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Arrangements are taking place under the direction of O’Connor Funeral Home. Roberta was born July 8, 1932 to Roger L. and Bertha L. Williams. Born on the family farm on the Ashelot Bench near Sun River, Roberta was one of four daughters. Some of Roberta’s fondest memories include working on the family farm alongside her dad and sisters. Roberta attended high school in Simms and graduated as salutatorian of her class in 1950. She was an active participant in 4H and played the clarinet in the Simms Marching Band. Upon graduating from high school, she took her first job at General Mills as a clerk. Roberta married Robert Pfennigs in 1952 and they had two children, Kathleen and Robert. Her first husband was killed in a car accident in May 1954. Roberta married Gabriel Swan at our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on July 21, 1956. Together, she and Gabriel added three children to their family, Margaret, Rebecca and James. Their family life was filled with laughter, love, many camping trips and adventures. Roberta stayed home to raise her children and take care of her family until she took a job as Chief Deputy Clerk of Court for Cascade County in 1979. She worked there for 18 years until her retirement in 1997. Roberta and Gib spent their retirement traveling around the state and to the Oregon coast in their beloved motor home. They also had continuous visits from family, grandchildren and friends. Roberta was a true servant to her extended family and spent many hours cooking, baking, making rugs and doing whatever was necessary to extend a helping hand. Roberta was a wonderful seamstress and could always be found quilting, sewing, or ripping fabric to make a new rug. She never lost her love of farming and spent many hours growing vegetables and flowers. Her roses and flower garden were the envy of all who knew her. She is survived by her husband, Gabriel; sisters Helen (Wayne) Duncan and Marguerite (Leonard) Dahl; children Kathi (Wayne) Barton of Washington, Bob (Christy) Pfennigs of Great Falls, Peggi (Tim) Skjelset of Washington, Becky Swan of Billings, and Jim (Noreen) Swan of Arizona; grandchildren Sharvalee Pfennigs, Rebecca (Reed) Petersen, Bobby Pfennigs, Carter Skjelset, Skyler Skjelset, Sarah (Jeff) Windmueller, and Taylor Swan; and great-grandchildren Caderyn, Gabriel, Owen and Westin. Her granddaughter Becky has twins due in February 2014. Roberta is preceded in death by her parents, Roger and Bertha, and her oldest sister Muriel Hornaday. Roberta was loved and cherished by all who knew her. Her family would like to extend their sincerest thanks to everyone who has blessed their lives all these years. Suggestions for memorials include Holy Spirit Church or Peace Hospice