“Why pray when you can worry?” Because Mom loved her people fiercely, she did both almost constantly. On June 13, 2026, Roberta was released from her worldly cares and now watches over her loved ones from heaven.
Roberta Ann Boylan was born on April 12, 1944 in Kemmerer, Wyo. to Louis Joe and Marie Viola Swanson Marchek. She was named after Louis’ friend, Robert Krall, who was serving overseas in World War II. The third of four children, she looked up to Ronald Louis and Ethel Marie and was especially close to Victor Edgar.
Living in Wyoming, she was surrounded by extended family. Her best friends were cousins Madelyn Marchek and Pauline Lebolo. Pauline struggled to say Roberta and called her “Boots,” and the nickname stuck. Madelyn remembers Roberta helping her learn her ABCs and numbers when they started kindergarten.
In 1951, the Marchek family moved to Harper, Oregon, where she met LaVerne Avel Boylan in the same classroom – Robert in first grade and LaVerne in second. After her grandfather, Edgar Swanson, died in 1954, Roberta moved in with her grandmother, Ethel “Nana” so she wouldn’t be alone. There, her grandma introduced her to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and encouraged her to share her testimony.
Though only a few miles from her family and happy living with her grandma, she still missed her parents and siblings. A few years later, the family moved to the house next door, and they were together again.
Roberta began dating LaVerne on Feb. 14, 1964. That night, Vic and LaVerne were scorekeepers at a Harper basketball game when Roberta and her friend Bonnie came in. Afterward, they decided to ask them to the dance. Vic said to LaVerne, “I’ll take the blonde, you take my sister. It won’t work any other way.”
With the Vietnam War draft looming, Roberta and LaVerne eloped in Winnemucca, Nev. on May 29, 1964. Because Roberta had her heart set on a church wedding, they kept the elopement a secret and married again in Harper on Sept. 5, 1964.
LaVerne, Roberta, and daughter Gerri moved from Harper to Hermiston in 1967, where the family expanded to include Brent, Michael, Kamila, and Heidi. LaVerne joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shortly after the move, and that began Roberta’s lifelong dedication to her faith. She served in many church callings and loved serving others, but she did not enjoy speaking.
Roberta loved being surrounded by extended family, and her home often hosted large celebrations for both the Marchek and Boylan families. One year, she filled and personalized over 20 stockings for the family Christmas party. She adored her grandchildren with all her heart.
She enjoyed all kinds of crafts, scrapbooking, and making cards. She made the world more beautiful with her creations.
For many years, she sold Avon and made many community connections. One of her customers later joined the family after they conspired to set up her daughter with Michael.
Roberta was an example of compassion and kindness. Kami remembers going with Mom on visits to an elderly woman who was homebound. She made a special effort to bring treats and cards to cheer up anyone she thought might be lonely.
Roberta is survived by her loving husband, LaVerne; children, Gerri (Dee Luker), Brent (Teresa Nuttall), Michael (Melissa Overcash), Kamila and Heidi (Isaac Cain); 19 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren, with one on the way.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marie and Louis Marchek; sister, Ethel Marie Haueter; brother, Ronald Marchek; grandson, Trace Boylan; and great-grandsons, Tanner and Frank Malloy.
Please join us in celebrating her life and legacy on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 850 S.W. 11th St., Hermiston. Viewing will be from 10 to 10:30 a.m. with the funeral service at 11 a.m.
