Emma Roberts
POLSON - Emma L. (Evans) Roberts went home to heaven peacefully on March 17, 2025. Emma was born on Aug. 6, 1925, at home, on the family dairy farm, the eighth child of eleven born to homesteaders Jesse R. and Lila B. (Clem) Evans of Charlo. They all had jobs to do from young ages to help with farm chores and housekeeping.
Emma attended elementary school at D’Aste and rode the bus to Charlo High School where she graduated in 1943. After graduation she moved to Washington State to work in the shipyards as a welder during WWII. While working in the area she learned bookkeeping and money management; two skills that she excelled at. In 1947, after his military service, she married her high school sweetheart, Newt Roberts, also from Charlo. They moved to Dillon, where Newt earned his teaching degree from Western Montana College. After Dillon they moved to their first teaching job in Wyola, then to Pablo and onto Polson in 1957. There they resided for the next 68 years. Many will remember her from the A&W Root Beer Drive-in, which they operated together for 20 years.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Newt (b.1925-d.2013); her parents; four Evans brothers; Jesse, (Mary, Margaret); Bill (Ollie); Clarence (Ellamae); Ray (Marie); and four sisters, Lois at five years old, Ada (Pat) Ellman, Ella (Bob) Gilchrist, Eva (Arnold) Bauer; and great-grandson, Tyson Zito.
Their legacy survives through their five children, Stan (Donna dec.), Dan (Linda), Don, Mike (Sara), Cathy (Jack) Francis; thirteen grandchildren, Tobias (Lauren), Catherine (Michael), Elizabeth, Lorn, Dana (Bill), Lylie, Riley, Ruby, Luke (Teresa), Evan (Chanel), Emily (Sanya), Nathan (Cameron), and Shane; twenty great-grands; fifteen great great-grands; and also survived by two of her sisters, Inez Freshour Pounds and Lila Faye Krantz, both of St Ignatius; a sister-in-law, Leila Roberts of Charlo; and many nieces and nephews.
The grandkids remember her wild asparagus treks to find the hidden treasures, her super-sized fruit roll ups of apricot or pear, her homemade dinner rolls at meals and sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag beside her bed. Emma was high energy, hardworking, extremely witty, feisty, kind and gentle. She was a loving mother, one whom all children would wish to grow up with. She was always there with a comforting word, a hug, good home cooking and fresh cinnamon rolls. As her old Irish neighbor would say, “you always know when its lunchtime because the cars start rolling up the driveway to Emma’s.” She has blessed many with her good hot meals. Emma had many friends who will forever miss her, she was an incredible person, and this world has lost a true beauty. She will be remembered for the bright, kind and thoughtful woman that she was.
Services have been held.
Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
