Roberta H. Christiansen

Roberta Christiansen passed away September 9, 2024, at the age of 90. She was born May 12, 1934, the 4th child of Rawlins J. Harper and Thera Elison Harper right in the middle of the Great Depression. Her siblings are Fontella Tracy, Douglas Harper, Beth Gagon, Kay Harper, & Jay Harper. She grew up in Malta Idaho doing what all small farm families in that era did; chores, farm work, play a little, go to school, go to church, be with family, and travel a little. She graduated from Raft River High School and attended Brigham Young University.

She married Irwin “Ike” Christiansen on August 28,1954 in Malta and soon after they moved to Rupert, Idaho. Together they have 3 children, Karla (Randy) Robinson, Ramon (JoEllyn) Christiansen, & Bruce (Amy Smith) Christiansen. Roberta has 11 grandchildren; Karla's children Nicholas, Derik, Ryan, and Paxton Robinson; Ramon's children Camille, Nathan, Jason, Brian, and Casey Christiansen; and Bruce's children Lauren and Abbey Christiansen. Roberta also has twenty-four great grandchildren.

She had a special connection with and a love for her many nieces, nephews and grandchildren and always loved their visits, notes, and phone calls. She loved the customers she was able to meet as she worked at Showkase in Rupert. Throughout her life she did those common things in life that happen in small town America. Things like Little League, school events and plays, athletic events, piano and dance recitals, and church and community events. It didn’t matter if it was near or far, a child, grandchild, or great grandchild, or sometimes just because. She found time to show up and cheer and enjoy and be supportive.

She also enjoyed the work of trying to make Rupert a little bit better place to live, especially around the town’s celebrations for Christmas and July 4th. She loved Christmas time and what it represents, from Jesus Christ down to Santa Claus. She knew she had arrived when Santa trusted her with the key to his house on the Rupert square. And whether it was the community fundraisers of the Thanksgiving Chili Feed or 4th of July Breakfast, she was in the thick of it to make those events special and raise the funding. She thoroughly loved that work and the great many friends she made in the process.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and found great joy in the friendships she made there along with the opportunities to serve in the church throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents Rawlins & Thera, her husband Irwin, her siblings, Fon, Doug, Beth & Kay, great-grandson Ryder Robinson, and grand daughter-in-law Shebel Robinson.

Her funeral service will be held on Monday September 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Rupert West Stake Center (100 W. 26 S. in Rupert). A viewing for family and friends will be held from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2024, at the Hansen Mortuary in Rupert and from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. prior the funeral at the church. Burial will take place at the Rupert Cemetery.

A special thanks to all the staff at Autumn Haven for all the love, compassion, and care that you provided to her. Thanks also to all her friends who stopped by through the years after Dad passed away to brighten her day, you know who you are.

Mom certainly loved flowers but what would please her most is to show up at the next Thanksgiving Chili Feed or 4th of July Breakfast and be generous when you pass by the tip jar.