ROBERTS Larue

LARUE (TORRIE) ROBERTS, beloved wife of Joseph Roberts (deceased) of Magrath, Alberta, passed away at Garden Vista on March 6th, 2013, at the age of 91 years.
LaRue (Torrie) Roberts was born in Burley, Idaho, on November 11th, 1921 to Albert Torrie and Flora May Hull. LaRue was the third child in the family after her sister Urilla and her brother Marvin. From a very early age she was introduced to horses and farm life. Her dad was a workaholic and started a ranch at Grassy Lake, Alberta. There was always work to be done on the ranch and LaRue loved doing things with her dad so she became very adept at horse riding, calf roping, branding, and tending to the animals.
LaRue completed grade 10 in public school and when she was 16 years old she moved to Calgary to study piano, vocals, and elocution. On November 2nd 1938 she met Joseph Roberts who was attending Calgary Technical School. On October 2nd, 1941, LaRue, at the age of 19, married Joseph Roberts in the Cardston, Alberta, Temple. A week after they came home from their honeymoon, Joe started his service in the armed forces. Joe and LaRue moved to Red Deer, Alberta so they could be together while Joe was in basic training for a few months. Once Joe left to serve overseas during the war, LaRue spent her time between the Ranch in Grassy Lake and Calgary. During that time Joe’s pay combined with hers afforded her the opportunity to buy some land.
When World War II ended Joe returned home to find that his wife LaRue had purchased 40 acres in Woolford and a piano. They purchased more land from Joe’s dad that included an unfinished rock house that was made from the same granite that the Cardston Temple was built from. In 1946 Joe and LaRue had their first child, DaMar, followed three years later by Merril. Joe and LaRue farmed together for 21 years in Woolford and added Falene, Lyle, Glade, and Sheila to their family. In 1966 Joe and LaRue sold the farm and moved to Lethbridge. In 1967 Joe and LaRue bought a motel in Waterton, the El Cortez, and the family spent 5 years working together each summer.
Until 1965 Joe and LaRue had not had a family vacation so they purchased a camper that was mounted on the back of a truck and they loaded up the family and headed out. Each year after that they always took time for a family vacation going to various destinations in Canada and the U.S.
LaRue enjoyed caring for the flower gardens around her home and always had roses, petunias, marigolds, hollyhocks and gladiolas.
She loved serving in the LDS church and had many callings: Relief Society president, music director, and gospel doctrine teacher.
Along with her husband, Joe, and her sister, Urilla, and her brother-in-law, Luke, they enjoyed square dancing and were part of the square dancing troupe in Lethbridge for many years.
Throughout her life she had a love for music and the arts. She was well-known for her yodelling, singing, giving readings, and won many competitions for her talents. She and Joe also sang on many occasions at various events. Her favourite music was country and the twangier the better. LaRue felt it was important that her children also develop their musical talents and enrolled most of them in music lessons.
LaRue at the age of 55 was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which over time limited her movement but not her talents. Joe cared for her and when they were moved into the Good Samaritan’s residence they were often heard by staff singing, which caused the staff to find out where the party was!
LaRue is survived by her 6 children and their spouses, 45 grandchildren and their spouses, 57 great grandchildren, extended family, and many friends. She leaves a legacy of love for her family.
The Funeral Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Garden Place Chapel, Magrath, Alberta, on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop John Balderson officiating. Friends may meet the family from 9:30-10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church.
Interment to follow in the Woolford Cemetery.
Christensen Salmon Generations Funeral Home Ltd.
703-13 Street North
Lethbridge, AB T1H 2T2
Phone: (403) 382-3601
Fax: (403) 320-1492
Email: condolences@generationsfh.ca
Sign guest book: www.generationsfh.ca