There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die. Ecc. 3:1-2
On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, surrounded by loving family Roberta Sharp went to be with the Lord and be reunited with her husband. She was born January 25, 1924 in Ladysmith, Wisconsin to Ralph and Sara Potter.
In 1941, she graduated from Central High School, Superior, Wisconsin, and went on to study nursing before switching to elementary education. In 1946 she graduated from Taylor County Normal School, Medford, Wisconsin. She started teaching in a rural one room school in Wisconsin. She quit teaching to spend the next 18 years being a stay at home mom. After furthering her education the family moved to Helena, Montana where she received a contract from Kessler Elementary School. In 1970, she graduated from Carroll College with a degree in elementary education and secured a position at Charlo Elementary in Charlo, Montana. Roberta was active in the Lower Flathead Education Association, serving as the President from 1973 to 1975 and as Secretary from 1975 to 1976. Always one to stand up for what she believed in, she championed teacher’s rights sometimes at great personal cost. After retiring in 1986, she took on the role of traveling grandmother. Roberta was proud of the fact the she and George were able to visit all the “lower 48 states” before they had to quit traveling. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren benefited from her playful nature. Roberta was determined, brave, honest, and kind, but most importantly she loved and nurtured many children.
As a mother, Roberta encouraged learning and stressed the importance of education. She was proud of the fact that 6 of her 8 children graduated from college. She proudly displayed pictures of her ever-growing family. As a master of cross-stitch, she created many baby blankets and hangings that are cherished remembrances.
Roberta is predeceased by her husband, George, her eldest daughter, Martha, her sister, Gene, one brother, Clayton, and two sons-in-law, Ron and Jay. She is survived by her brothers, Russell and Tex Potter, her daughters Crystal, Alyce, Barbara (Larry), and Rene (Ron), her sons Udell (Shelley), Will (Eva) and Paul, as well as 23 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.
A memorial service celebrating Roberta’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 12th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will immediately follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home.
A special thank-you from Roberta’s family to Rocky Mountain Hospice, especially Steve, Melinda and Sarah for all the extra special care they gave our mother and for all the hugs and care they gave to Crystal and Alyce through the last 20 months.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 am
Saturday December 12, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana
Helena , Montana 59602
Reception
Immediatly following Funeral Service
Saturday December 12, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana
Helena , Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
10:00 am
Saturday December 12, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana
Helena , Montana 59602
Reception
Immediatly following Funeral Service
Saturday December 12, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana
Helena , Montana 59601
Share
Gay Spencer Lassen says
I am so sorry for your loss. The picture you have of her shows her beautiful smile. She looks so much like my mom, Georgena Potter Spencer. My love e and prayers go out to all of you. Love Gay
Rene Sharp Yanosky says
“Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore, so do our minutes hasten to their end.” -Shakespeare
Throughout my childhood, my mother quoted Shakespeare. I didn’t realize it until I studied Shakespeare in college! I’d read a sonnet and hear her voice. My esteem for her grew when I realized that she could apply Shakespearean verse to real life.
My mother was an incredible woman. I aspire to bring to my marriage the endless love that she brought to hers. She married the love of her life, George Sharp, whom she had known from childhood. Together they created a family that remembers them both with great fondness. Their relationship endured through tough times that included periods of separation when George served in World War II, and when they couldn’t find work in the same town. Just as they’d promised each other in their wedding vows, they supported and cared for one another without question, not just as an example for their eight children, but also because each genuinely loved the other. I take comfort in knowing that they are together again. As a statement of their ever-lasting devotion, Dad’s ashes will be buried with her.
When my parents decided to move their family to Montana, Mom went back to school and graduated from Carroll College with a degree in elementary education (1970). I remember standing in line with her as she registered for college. She taught for a short time at Kessler Elementary School in Helena before securing a position at Charlo Elementary School. Along with teaching, she was active in the Lower Flathead Education Association, serving as the President from 1973 to 1975 and Secretary from 1975 to 1976. Always one to stand up for what she believed in, she championed teacher’s rights, sometimes at great personal cost. Her struggles and successes encouraged me to always work hard and to choose my battles carefully. She retired in 1986, and took on the role of traveling grandmother. Mom was determined, brave, honest, and kind, but most importantly she loved and nurtured children. Most of her grandchildren and many of her great grandchildren benefited from her playful, gentle nature.
Mom always listened, but never offered advice. The funny thing is that her actions were all the advice that I ever needed. As a mother, she encouraged learning and stressed the importance of education. Like her, I went to college as a non-traditional student. If she could get a degree while mothering such a large brood, I could certainly do it with only two! She proudly displayed pictures of her ever-growing family. As a master of cross-stitch, she created many baby blankets and wall hangings that are cherished remembrances. Although dementia stole her away before my children could really get to know her, I have no doubt that both Kyle and Lara have inherited some of her–if not through direct experience at the very least as an extension through her youngest child. I will be forever grateful to my sisters, Alyce and Crystal, and my brothers, Will and Udell, for taking care of Mom through many long and difficult later years.
I will always remember and love you, Mom. You are unforgettable.
Deb Walter says
Udell & Shelley, I am so sorry for the loss of your Mother. My thought & prayers are with you. God bless?.
Will Sharp says
My Mother’s words.
My Thoughts
My thoughts race,
caught only for a moment to be penned upon this written page.
My thoughts run wild and free,
seldom spoken,
and never written,
would you believe me if I had.
Often they start and seldom finish,
they think of everything.
My thoughts they come to dance and sing,
and take me away to long lost places.
They come to me all through the day,
all they want to do is play.
So here I stand all lost in thought,
I am lost in them and they in me.
Lock me up without a key
and they will still be wild and free.
Carol Ann (Graveley) Dagenais says
Dear Udell and Shelley,
We are so sorry for your loss! I am sorry I did not have the great fortune to have met her, as I was teaching in Arlee while she was in Charlo. I could have learned so much from her! This will be our family’s first Holiday without our mom, too. What gives me some comfort is imagining our dear ones finally “Home For Christmas!” You are in my prayers.