Alma Isabelle Robertson

Oscar couldn't bear another birthday without his beautiful bride Alma; she went to join her husband on Monday, Nov. 18, 2013.

She was born on June 10, 1923, in the Bitterroot Valley, to John and Nellie Newell. Alma met her sweetheart during her junior year and was married shortly after on Aug. 4, 1941. Alma had two daughters and was left to tend the house and family while her husband went off to Germany during World War II. After his return, she followed him to Missoula, Havre, Wolf Point and finally Glasgow as Oscar built houses for Shulund Construction. Two sons came along during this time.

Alma worked at various jobs with Shulund Construction, Glasgow Ready Mix, J.C. Penney and Woolworth. She always felt education was important and desired to get her high school diploma. Despite the obstacles, she finally attained her goal by getting her GED at the age of 48. In 1976, her son Don took her on a tour of the University of Montana and convinced her she should go to college. Before they left the campus that day, Don paid her entrance fee and she was signed up to attend classes. During one of her classes, she volunteered at a group home. She was so moved by the experience, she convinced her husband they should apply to be group home parents for the developmentally disabled. Getting the job, she continued her classes to become a social worker while running the group home. Alma eventually gave up the job to give her full attention to finishing her college classes. At the age of 59, she graduated from the University of Montana. Following her graduation, she worked as a child protective social worker for Ravalli County until her retirement in 1989.

Not one to be retired, Alma became an advocate for senior citizens in nursing homes, foster care and personal care homes. In the mid-1990s, Alma and Oscar followed their son to Lewistown to live until Oscar's death in 2007. She then moved to Missoula to be closer to her daughter Elaine.

Alma was always one to make the best of whatever situation she faced. She never missed the opportunity to teach her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren or anyone else she came in contact with. Her trips to Alaska were highlights in her life. She always welcomed a full house and nobody ever went home hungry. She never let the girls in the family forget that they could do anything the boys could do. She loved hunting, fishing, bird watching, hunting for wildflowers to identify, huckleberry picking, evening drives to spot wildlife, crocheting, quilting, painting, gardening and canning. She could fry up a mean batch of brook trout at the family campouts she loved to have. There isn't a single family member who will forget waking up to the smell of her famous cinnamon rolls.

Alma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Oscar; son, Donald Robertson; granddaughter, Tessa Robertson; grandson, Jacob Robertson Etchart; brother, Max Newell in World War II; and sisters, Sinnette Waldron and Lorna Young.

Alma said the saying "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" helped her survive through the years. She did more than survive, she left a wonderful legacy.

Alma is survived by her sister, Irma Roesbury of Cordova, Alaska; daughter, Elaine (Mike) Rose of Frenchtown; daughter, Gloria Robertson of Glasgow; son, Dick (Vikki) Robertson of Forestgrove; grandchildren, Darlene (Kevin) Troutwine of Greenough, Bonnie (Tony) Kennick of Papillion, Neb., Debbie (Jeremy) Haberlock of Frenchtown, Brenda (David) Peyton of Clinton, Marnie Flatow of San Francisco, Heidi (Brien) Gault of Glasgow, Brent Flatow of Glasgow, Yote Robertson of Lewistown, Yana Robertson of Missoula, Yavon Robertson of Lewistown; great-grandchildren, Andy Troutwine, Kayla Tanner, Adam Troutwine, Avery Troutwine, Nikki Kennick, Cassie Kennick, Lexie Kennick, Mandy Kennick, Keith (Lindsey) Carman, Logan Carman, Jaden Haberlock, Morgan Hartman, Madison Hartman, Ciana Haberlock, Makenna Hartman, Caitlynn Yorks, Jonathan Salt, Kyra Flatow, Autumn Gault, Yarak Sullivan, Kennidi Wanner, Kale Wanner; and great-great-grandchildren, Tayden Spence, Torey Spence.

No services are planned at this time. A celebration of life will be held next summer at the Robertson Ranch.

The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at Village Healthcare for their exceptional care of Alma

Read Alma Robertson's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.