Roberta Barstad Obituary

On March 21, 2025, Roberta Barstad, known to many as “Butch”, passed away peacefully at the age of 84 at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital. Roberta was surrounded by loved ones and friends in the weeks leading up to her passing. They spent her last days reminiscing and sharing family memories.

Born on August 23, 1940 in Missoula, Montana to Kenneth and Hallie Thompson, Roberta had three siblings, Betty Jo, Richard, and Sammy. Growing up in western Montana, Roberta’s father worked for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Game, allowing Roberta to have some unusual pets such as a deer, a bear cub, a mountain goat and her personal favorite, a mountain lion she named Tawny. After graduation from Helena Senior High School in 1958, Roberta went on to graduate from Montana State University in 1963, becoming a proud Bobcat. She earned her Bachelors’ in Elementary Education and went on to be a teacher in Troy, Montana and later at the Glasgow Air Force Base (St. Marie). In 1965, Roberta and Milton Barstad were married, and the pair became permanent residents in Glasgow. Roberta and Milton started their family, raising three children: Mitchell, Brent, and Callie.

Roberta was community and faith oriented, regularly volunteering at the First Lutheran Church as a Sunday school teacher and numerous other organizations such as Homemakers’ Club, the American Association of University Women (AAUW), WELCA, Circle, ALCW & Quilters. Along with being an active member she was a leader for many of the organizations, including Secretary, Treasury and President. She led the annual bazaar held at Glasgow’s Civic Center, helped bring “Potties to the Parks” and helped raise money for the new pool currently being built. The list of contributions goes on, as Roberta was a strong believer in giving to your community. Aside from being a teacher, and then a substitute teacher, Roberta worked at the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture for ten years before retiring to spend time with Milton and traveling to spend time with their growing family. Which they did up until 2019 when Milton passed away. Milton and Roberta were married for 53 years before she laid her husband to rest.

As a hobby and way to contribute to her community, Roberta quilted; making quilts, blankets, and medical masks for those in need. Socially, she would play pinochle with her club, as well as go to Senior Citizens to play. Roberta knew how to make everyone smile with her quick wit and sarcasm. She would want this time to be used for coming together, to celebrate her life, not grieve. Roberta tackled every challenge and pushed through every hardship with love in her heart. And when you look up at that big blue sky, know that she and Milton are looking down with proud smiles. The next time it rains in Glasgow, just remember that Roberta would say that we need the rain.

She is survived by her children Mitchell (Dawn), Brent (Danelle Murch), and Callie (Sam Forsythe); grandchildren: Spencer, Banner, Skylar and Ryder (Mitch’s children), Colton and Breanna (Devin Rasmusan) (Brent’s children) and Mikayla, Cameron and Ty (Callie’s children); sister-in-law, Georgia Barstad and her sons and families; siblings: Betty Jo Powell and family, Richard and Marilyn Thompson, Sam (Steve) Shatley and family; numerous cousins and friends, three grand-cats and eight grand-dogs. Preceding her in death is her husband, Milton; her parents, and her brothers-in-law.

A celebration of her life and her contributions to the community will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025 at the First Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m., followed by burial in Highland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers or gifts to the family, they ask that contributions be made to the First Lutheran Church of Glasgow, Valley County Pioneer Museum or Valley County HOPE Project to honor Roberta’s memory. Online condolences may be left for the family at bellmortuarymt.com.