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In Memoriam: Rosalie Roberts (1941-2009)

Rosalie (Rea) Roberts 1941-2009 Rosalie (Rea) Roberts joined her heavenly family on May 30, 2009, at age 68 after a two-year battle with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

Rosalie was born Feb. 24, 1941, in Boise, Idaho. She lived her life much like a racehorse, always striving to win and never wanting to be wrong. She was known to many as neighbor, coworker, friend and family. Rosalie worked for the highway department (Idaho Transportation Department) for over 30 years as a highway designer, plan checker, and custom home designer, being successful in all. She created ITD’s first design manual and kept it updated for many years while doing her regular work as well.

Rosalie was one of the first in Boise City to receive a day care license. She also volunteered numerous hours at the hospital auxiliary, served on the PTA board, volunteered at school, was a 4-H leader, volunteered at the senior center and served on the welfare and retirement committee at work.

Rosalie was a member of the Meridian Gospel Tabernacle family for over 50 years. For many of those years she was a Sunday school teacher, sharing her love of the Lord. Rosalie was always up for fun, whether it was on one of her three trips to New York with Del Parkinson's Broadway tours or just a night of pinochle with the girls.

Rosalie had a gift for being a hostess and making all who attended feel at home. She was a talented piano player and could sit down and play a new chorus she had heard or a song from memory. We will remember her love of art in her handmade macramé purses, ceramics, string art, trees, pictures, and glass.

Above all else, she was a dedicated wife and loving mother and grandmother. She raised her children to share her love of music, and her love of life. Throughout her life, she would encourage them to play sports, work hard, and dream big. Rosalie believed that her children should stand up for themselves, as she always did. A high school teacher once gave her a C instead of an A, saying that it was impossible for a girl to master physics; in doing so, he instilled in her a lifelong desire to prove her worthiness.

The Greeks didn't write obituaries. They only asked one question after a person died: "Did they have passion?" Rosalie would've liked that; she was a fan of brevity and sincerity, and was always a woman of great passion.

Rosalie Roberts was preceded in death by her parents, Emily and Elmer Rea, and one infant sister. She is survived and celebrated by Verl, her husband of 50 years, her four children, Randall (and wife Tracy) of Boise, Steve (and wife Dianna) of Prescott, Ariz., Gordon of Boise, and Susan Crosthwait (and husband Mark) of Pleasant View, Utah, her 11 grandchildren, Nathan (and wife Melody), Matthew, Crystal, Joshua, Teddi, Kelli, Shawn, Cory, Miranda, Justin, and Brandon, three siblings, John (and wife Denise) of Clovis, Calif., Jim Rea of Seattle, Wash., and Peggy Buehrer (and husband Rocky Grant ) of Cheyenne, Wyo. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and her father-in-law Arvad.

Rosalie received lots of love and care from special friends and caregivers. Thanks to Donna, Connie, Trish, Clair, Becky, Tracy, Kimberly, Lavona, Bobbi, Lisa, Emma, and all her dear friends that were a great support during this trying time. A visitation for family and friends was held on Tuesday (June 2, 2009) from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Meridian Gospel Tabernacle, 1507 N. Meridian Rd., Meridian.

Funeral Services were Wednesday (June 3, 2009), at the Meridian Gospel Tabernacle. Burial followed at the Meridian Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Accent Funeral Home, Meridian. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Pine Acres Camp, 1507 N. Meridian Rd, Meridian, ID 83642. Condolences may be made to the family at www.accentfuneral.com
See ITD career
See photo tribute presented upon retirement