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.
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