Valeera Yvonne Rober's Obituary
Valeera “Val” Yvonne Rober, was born in Wheatland, Wyoming, on June 14, 1927, the first child of Marlon and Velma (Kershner) Bures. At two years old, Val moved with her parents, her sister Del and brother Wayne to a farm in Kit Carson County, Colorado, where they lived when her youngest sibling, Cecil, was born. In the mid-1930s, the Bures family moved to Tacoma, Washington.
Val’s husband of 69 years, Stanley Rober, first appeared in her faithfully kept journal on August 30, 1946. Val and Stan both enjoyed attending Miracle Book Club meetings, but did not officially meet until a missed ferry forced them to spend several hours together on the way to a meeting. Stan asked Val if she’d like a ride in an airplane (with himself as the pilot) and the rest is history.
Stan and Val were married in Val’s parents' home in Tacoma on April 3, 1948, and lived behind Stan's parents in a remodelled garage for several months before moving to Fife, Washington. They had three children, Shannon, Gary and Marlon. The family relocated to California in 1957, living in Buena Park and Pacoima, before settling in North Hills.
The family enjoyed many road trips, to visit family and to camp together. Val always said there was great cooperation when readying for a trip. The Robers were faithful members of Osborne Neighbourhood Church, attending Sunday morning and evening services, as well as Wednesday evening Bible studies. Val was active in Lockheed Employees Scuba Dive Club activities, accompanying Stan and the boys on outings and helping prepare meals out of the divers’ catches. Val regularly organized large church meals and hosted countless holiday meals for extended family and friends.
Val was an excellent homemaker and devoted her life to caring for her family. She was an accomplished seamstress and her many interests included playing clarinet, learning history, growing cactuses and collecting antiques.
When the grandchildren began arriving in 1970, she cared for them regularly, delighted in watching them grow and was always ready to color or play games with them. Val's playful (and sometimes mischievous) personality was greatly appreciated by her grandchildren and they credit her for their own silliness and love of play.
Once her children had grown, Val enjoyed many interesting travels. Some highlights included a trip to Peru and a tour of Egypt. She also travelled with Stan on work assignments to England, Japan and Germany, living with him in these countries for several months at a time and visiting neighbouring European countries during their stay. Stan and Val also had many long road trips to visit their daughter and grandchildren in Canada.
Stan and Val lived in Yuba City, California from 1982 to 1990, returning to their home in North Hills, following Stan’s retirement. In 2005 they returned to Washington, settling in Puyallup, where Val continued the tradition of hosting large family gatherings for quite a few more years.
Val passed away peacefully in her Puyallup home on June 10, 2017. She is lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her husband, Stanley; children Shannon Doolan, Gary (Linda) and Marlon (Virginia); grandchildren Jennifer (Terry) Crosby, Jill (Niall) McGrath, Juliet (Trevor) Orcutt, Andy (Kieran Johnson) Thomson, Leah (Brent) Reimer and Jason (Monica) Brady; many great-grandchildren; brothers Wayne Bures and Cecil Bures (Sarah), and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends. Val was predeceased by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law Del and Maury Tronset; her sister-in-law Barbara Bures and her granddaughter Amanda Brady. Val is interred alongside her parents at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood, Washington.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:1-3)
See you soon Val (Sweetie / Mom / Grandma)...
What’s your fondest memory of Valeera?
What’s a lesson you learned from Valeera?
Share a story where Valeera's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Valeera you’ll never forget.
How did Valeera make you smile?

