Emma L. Roberts, 99

Emma L. (Evans) Roberts of Polson went home to heaven peacefully on March 17, 2025.  

Emma was born Aug. 6, 1925, at home on the family dairy farm, the eighth child of 11 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 World War II.  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 he earned his teaching degree from Western Montana College. 

After Dillon they moved to their first teaching job in Wyola, then Pablo and then to Polson in 1957 where 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 is her husband, Newt (b.1925-d.2013); her parents; four Evans brothers, Jesse, (Mary; Margaret), Bill (Ollie), Clarence (Ellamae) and Ray (Marie); and four sisters, Lois at 5 years old, Ada (Pat) Ellman, Ella (Bob) Gilchrist, and Eva (Arnold) Bauer; and great-grandson Tyson Zito. 

Their legacy survives through their five children, Stan (Donna, deceased), Dan (Linda), Don, Mike (Sara), and Cathy (Jack) Francis; 13 grandchildren, Tobias (Lauren), Catherine (Michael), Elizabeth, Lorn, Dana (Bill), Lylie, Riley, Ruby, Luke (Teresa), Evan (Chanel), Emily (Sanya), Nathan (Cameron), and Shane; 20 great-grands and 15 great-great-grands. She is also survived by two of her sisters, Inez Freshour Pounds and Lila Faye Krantz, both of St Ignatius; 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 it’s 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.

There will be a visitation on Friday, March 28, from 4-6 p.m. at The Lake Funeral Home in Polson. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, followed by burial in the Ronan Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.

Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.