Roberta "Bobbie" K. Smith

Roberta K. Smith (Bobbie, as she was known to all close friends and acquaintances) passed away early Wednesday morning, May 11, 2022, after having struggled with declining health for over five years.  She was the first of four children to Dr. Fred P. Kesler and Arlene Anchorstrand Kesler of Salt Lake City, UT.  She was born in Indianapolis, IN on February 23, 1936 while her father was attending chiropractic school there and was raised with her sister and brothers in Salt Lake City, UT.  Her surviving sister and brother are Judith Ann Ahrend (George) and Dr. Christopher S. Kesler (Keli) of Sandy and Midvale, UT respectively.  She was preceded in death by her husband Ira W. Smith, both of her parents and her brother, Dr. Stephen F. Kesler.  Her surviving children are Brian E. Smith (Louise), Dr. Scott K. Smith and Christopher A. Smith (Tina).  She has eight grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren with one more on the way.

Right out of high school, Bobbie went to work behind the soda fountain at Mt. Air Pharmacy in Holladay (Salt Lake City area) making sundaes and “fizzes”.  Occasionally she would talk of walking or getting rides to work being careful to arrive on time.  Bobbie and Ira moved from Salt Lake to Great Falls in 1961 as Ira had been recruited to work for Buttrey Food Stores.  When her children were older, she worked for Dr. Ray Sumsion taking care of billing.  At the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), Malmstrom AFB, she worked several years as a faculty secretary typing and proofing books for the professors and helping graduate students with their thesis projects.  For a brief time, she was employed at the Montana Deaconess Hospital.   And finally, she was as an administrative assistant for Facilities Management of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Montana.

In the 1960’s, she dearly loved years of being able to perform beautiful music as a member of the Great Falls Mormon Choir.  The Great Falls Symphony was a life-long passion.  Each year she looked forward in eager anticipation for the new slate of outstanding music to be performed by our own wonderful musicians and guest world class artists. 

She was devoted in her faith in Jesus Christ as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She diligently served all throughout her life working in the young children’s organization known as the Primary.  She was also very involved in the Relief Society, the women’s organization, having worked in many fundraising bazaars through the years, making hand-dipped chocolates and much, much more.  Most notable of all was her demonstrable love for others, especially those who faced big challenges in their lives.

Bobbie was beautiful, inside and out, having amassed a treasure trove of lifelong, dearly loved friends all over Great Falls.  Now she has returned home to be with her Father-in-Heaven, reuniting with her family and many treasured friends who have gone on before.

Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1401 9th St. NW in Great Falls, MT on May 21, 2022.  Viewing is at 9:00 AM and services begin at 10:00 AM.  Burial will take place at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Rd. in Sandy, UT on May 26, 2022.  Viewing there will be at 10:30 AM and the graveside service begins at noon.

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