Roberta Belle (Unger) Budak, 86, entered Heaven’s gates and was reunited with George on Friday, January 17, 2020. She was born on December 28, 1933 in Albany, Oregon to Opha and Audey Unger, and was their only child. At a young age, her parents divorced, and she and her mother moved to Ash Grove, Missouri (where her mother was from). She graduated from Ash Grove High School a year early in 1950. After high school, she earned her teaching degree. Along with one of her college friends, she moved to Poplar, Montana to fill a teaching position. She taught and worked at Poplar Elementary School for many years, in many roles. Her love of teaching and education allowed her to be a part of education for many generations of families through the Poplar Schools.
Roberta married the love of her life, George Budak in 1958 in Poplar. They were happily married for 58 years when George passed away in 2017. Together they adopted three children, Mark, David, and Ann Marie.
Roberta was a faithful member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, where her voice could always be heard singing proudly in praise. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She loved to bake, and loved even more when she could share her baked goods with others. Her grandkids often would rather have some “homemade goodies” instead of store-bought things for birthdays and Christmas. Thankfully she passed on her pie making abilities to her granddaughter Rebekah, so her flaky flavor-filled pie crust will still be a part of family gatherings and holidays.
Roberta was preceded in death by her husband George, her parents Opha Parnell and Audey Unger, son Mark Budak, granddaughter Marqette Budak, grandson Noah Landsrud, and sisters and brothers-in-law Sylvia and John Taflan, and Lucy and John Popa.
Roberta is survived by her son David Budak of Poplar, daughter Ann (Ken) Landsrud of Wolf Point; her grandchildren Rhianne, Cory, Zach, Michael, Mercedes, Jessica, Kendra, Rebekah, and Seth; step-grandchildren Samantha, Kevin, and Jessie; great-grandchildren Adaliyah, Adrian, Audrina, Mary Jane, and Daniella; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many friends including her best friend Beth Hagadone.
Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.
Service Schedule
Rosary
7:00 p.m.
Friday January 24, 2020
Our Lady of Lourdes Cathoilc Church
105 F Street West
Poplar, Montana 59255
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 25, 2020
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
105 F Street West
Poplar, Montana 59255
Service Schedule
Rosary
7:00 p.m.
Friday January 24, 2020
Our Lady of Lourdes Cathoilc Church
105 F Street West
Poplar, Montana 59255
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 25, 2020
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
105 F Street West
Poplar, Montana 59255
Bob and Terry McAnally says
Our condolences to Roberta’s family and friends. She did indeed, love children and the Poplar school system. Another one of Poplar’s elders has left us. May she be at peace in Heaven.
Cindy Alpert says
Roberta was such a special lady, she was like an older sister, in fact she was just 10 months older than my oldest sister. She was one of the first friends I made when I moved to Poplar in the fall of 1982. Her arms and home were always open to new teachers at the school. We shared some fun adventures including a trip to Missouri to see her old stomping grounds. I experienced some wonderful southern hospitality on that trip. We picked choke cherries and celebrated many birthdays with fellow teachers. I will miss this dear lady. I am happy for her as she is once again with George whom she missed very much.
Gwen says
So sorry…Roberta was one of my last friend s left in Poplar…Will miss her and her phone calls. Rest in peace. REST IN PEACE
Diane LaRoche says
Beautiful Lady never without a smile Going to be missed
Kathleen says
Such a kind awesome lady.
My sincere condolences to the family.
May Roberta rest in perfect peace till we all meet again. 😔🙂
Penny Kaleva says
Rest In Peace Roberta! You will be dearly missed my friend. God Bless you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your loved ones.
Donald Boyd says
R.I.P. Mrs. Budak An Long Time Teacher Aid When I Was A Child Also Was Nice Working With You In The Poplar School District…
Jane Beauclair says
Many prayers for you and your family. Roberta was loved by many of us and I’ll always remember her wonderful homemade food, gracious company, and her fondness of cardinals!
Michelle Trottier says
Condolences to her family..she was a kind and wonderful lady..
Brad Tande says
My sincere condolences…
Terry Lindsay-Barron says
Roberta was a very loving person, It was my pleasure knowing her. She was a good friend to my mom, so Roberta say hi to mom for me and you guys enjoy each other once again. Love You! My deepest condolences to the family!
Diane Boley says
My thoughts and prayers to Roberta’s family!
joanne m lindlof says
Aunt Roberta…I will miss the phone calls, letters, and cards…I will miss the time we shared…But I am happy in knowing you and Uncle George are reunited..you missed him so much. I love you with all my heart. All my love and prayers to Ann Marie and David and their families. You all are what she lived for.
Rhonda Mason says
Mrs. Budak was my first grade teacher and I never forgot her. She was a very nice person and cared about children.
It is hard to lose a Mom, so I prayer your hearts will be lifted and know she will always be with you.
Melanie Kuntz says
My heartfelt condolences to Roberta’s family. She will be missed by so many. She and George became a life-long friends when she and I worked together at the elementary school. She taught me so much about teaching. She was loved by all the staff and students. I’ll miss her wonderful sense of humor and laugh. Rest in peace, dear Roberta.
Bede Baldry says
This is sad news. Roberta and George were so good to me while in Poplar. I could drop in for a meal and visit anytime. What a saint of a woman. Know of my prayers.
Live Jesus in our hearts!
Brother Bede Baldry, FSC
Jim and Liz says
Aunt Roberta Belle!!! What a treasure. She was not only a loving and selfless second Mom to us but a wonderful cook, generous to all she met and most importantly a loyal and faithful wife to our dear Uncle George who we all know is waiting for her with some sort of “prank” up his angel sleeve. Can’t wait to hear about it.
I found this prayer and thought I share it with you all: “Into your hands, O Lord, we humbly entrust our sister in Christ, Roberta. In this life you embraced her with your tender love; delivered her from every evil. Allow her to enter into eternal rest where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain; Only fullness of peace and joy with our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever! Cheers and eternal happiness
Alice Christensen says
My thoughts and prayers goes out to her family and friends. She was a beautiful person. She is gone but never forgotten. Rip
Janet Henning says
My condolences to Roberta’s family. We got to know both her and George through my sister Melanie Kuntz. Roberta was a kind and loving person. She was a great friend to Melanie and we appreciate how she adopted her into your family.
Rest on peace sweet Roberta you will be missed by many!
Vicki Yasenosky-Hampson says
So very sorry for your loss. My Prayers are with all of her Family. To this day I can still hear her and George’s laugh after Mass on Sundays. She was always a very kind lady. Again you are in my thoughts & Prayers.
Sheila Greybull says
My condolences to the Budak family!! I worked with Roberta for years at Poplar Schools and she was an awesome lady who loved what she did!! Hugs to my friend David, thinking of you at this difficult time!!
Rudy Evenson says
While I was in college, I worked for George and Roberta on the farm one summer and that was a start of a wonderful friendship that has lasted as recent as Christmas 2019. I made sure I stopped in to visit them every time I came through Poplar . Roberta was great at encouraging everyone. God bless her for who she was and thank you for being in my life.
Laura (Popa) Bishop ; oldest niece on the family tree. says
I can still hear that southern accent filled with joy and warmth if I listen closely for your voice, dear Aunt Roberta! You will never be too far from our memories and in our hearts always. You did the Bunny Hop with we kids at your wedding, the first wedding we’d ever been to! I had never met anyone who could peel potatoes faster than you… you laughed at my childhood memories about that! It was not hard to be one of your nieces and know your love for children. Lucky are your family and friends who were near you , blessed are we all to have shared time with you! I celebrate you! Oh to get a glimpse of that reunion in heaven! Rejoice family for she is home.
Gay Pennington says
My condolence to the Budak family. Your mom was such a great lady. Always smiling and she love teaching kids. She had my 3 sons. When we ran into each other she would ask how are the boys doing. I will miss seeing her when I come home to Poplar. She always has a smile on her face. She was a great lady. May God Bless you all. From Gay (Stephanie)Pennington
Trudy Fox says
Roberta was a special lady to many. She was our Brownie or Girl Scout leader when I was growing up in Poplar and years later I was fortunate to have George & Roberta as QB clients. I visited their home often and have fond memories of both of them. My sincerest sympathies to all of you.
Dolores Demore says
Wanted to send our condolences to your family. Sorry that we just found out yesterday and couldn’t do more. Doris and Roberta were close and enjoyed a lot of fun times as cousins. May God bless you all.
The Hershel Demore Family
Jeannie archdale says
So very sorry for your loss of your mom, prayers are with all of you
Sylvia Rising Sun says
I am so sorry to hear about Roberta’s next journey in life. She was a very good friend of mine and she was my rock during the loss of my beloved husband, Collins. Many condolences to her children and the rest of her family! She was such a loving person and the children that she worked with have an angel watching over them!
Roxann Smith says
I always enjoyed visiting your mother. She sure was helpful, and kind to everyone. Poplar community and the Catholic parish will miss her dearly. Prayers for your families.
Joe Hobbs says
I only recently found out that Roberta passed away. My heart goes out to her family. We always enjoyed coming to see Roberta every couple years when pheasant hunting. Her and George were a pleasure to talk to and she will be missed. My condolences to her family, god bless.
Joe Hobbs