Roberta P. Empey

Roberta P. Empey, 83, of Idaho Falls, passed away Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012, at her home from liver cancer. She was under the care of Hospice Alliance, and the family would like to especially thank Jesse, Cassie and Delma for their kindness and caring.

Roberta was born Jan. 14, 1929, in St. Anthony to James Denzel Bergeson and Lois Ester Gleim Bergeson. She grew up in and attended schools in St. Anthony and Idaho Falls.

On Nov. 30, 1947, she married Keith A. Empey in Idaho Falls. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on April 16, 1965. He preceded her in death Feb. 12, 1995.

Roberta was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In earlier years, she taught Sunday School and Primary and loved every minute of it. She was a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Idaho Falls. She loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting with her husband and children. She loved Hawaiian music and artwork. Her favorite picture was the one she drew of Jesus Christ.

Roberta enjoyed doing genealogy and also enjoyed cooking for her big family. Each and every one of her family members was special in their own way. Roberta and Keith traveled throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and went deep-sea fishing off the Florida and Oregon coasts.

Survivors include daughters, Kathleen Ann (Leo) Campell and Karen Jean (David) Harding, both of Idaho Falls; sons, Bruce Keith (Jeanett Townsend) Empey of Firth, Robert Paul (Barbara Taylor) Empey of Shelley, and Steven Glenn (Deborah Johnson) Empey and Alan Blaine (Teri Beckman) Empey, both of Idaho Falls; sisters, Donna Marie (Robert) Roper of Kenai, Alaska, Dorla Lois (Sam) Nicoletti of California, Marva Eileen (Harry) Schuldt of Idaho Falls and Collen Mae (Ronald) Hill of Boise; brother, Denzel Lee (Nadine) Bergeson of Idaho Falls; 15 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, four grandparents, a brother, two granddaughters and a grandson.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at Rose Hill Cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Thursday at Wood Funeral Home, 963 S. Ammon Road.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Primary Children's Medical Center, 100 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84113.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.