Roberta Ruth "Bobbie" Culley

1923 - 2011

Bobbie, age 87, passed away on May 23, 2011 at the Elko Hospital following a brief illness. She was born October 8, 1923 to Leonard and Alice (Wiley) Mink in Caldwell, Idaho. She was raised in the Lamoille, Elko, and Bureau River/Gold Creek country. She met Clem Cullen, a miner at Rio Tinto, NV at the time, and they were married on March 17, 1942.
During the depression they went to help with the Culley family farm in Paul, Idaho, where their first child ( Dick) was born. Returning to Mountain City where Clem worked for Rio Tinto Mine until it closed in 1948 and the second child ( Norm) was born. Clem took a job at the Tungsten Mine at Mill City, NV ( Nevada Massachusetts) where their third child ( Diane) was born in Winnemucca, NV. That mine closed and the family moved to McDermott, NV where they worked for Les and Alice Mink. (Bobbie s mother and step father). They then purchased the Mountain City Motel and Nevada Club Bar from Clem's sister Beulah and lived in Mountain City. The motel and hotel adjacent to it were destroyed by a fire in 1960 with the motel being rebuilt that is there today. After the motel was sold, Bobbie worked for the Forest Service for several years. She earned a GED while in her 50's by attending night school at Owyhee. She volunteered her services as secretary for the Mountain City water and sewer district and Visitor Center until she went to enjoy this past winter with her Daughter, Diane Roving's family in Billings, Mt. Bobbie's door was always open for a pit stop or refreshment to anyone passing through Mountain City. She will be missed by many.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her mother Alice, father Leonard Mink, step father Ray Eager, step father Les Mink - sisters Rita Mayer, Patricia Stanton - husband Clem, son Dick, and grand daughter Jenny Rovigo. She is survived by son Norman Culley (Mary Lou) daughter Diane Rovigo ( David).- Grandchildren: Joe Culley (Donna), Molly Popp (Mike), Colby Culley( Gina), Pace Culley (Angie), Lorrie Button, Trina Heinz, Tysen Rovigo (Danielle), Klan Rovigo. She is also blessed with several great grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at Burns Funeral Home on June 3, 2011 at 2 pm. A reception will follow at the Elko Basque Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to: Friends for Life - PO Box 1143- Elko, Nevada 89803, the Northeastern Nevada Museum, or a charity of your choice.