Roberta Burkstaller

A memorial service will be held at 10 am, Saturday, February 7, 2015 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Roswell, NM for Roberta Crosby Burkstaller, 93, who passed away Sunday, February 1, 2015 in her home in Elida, NM. Father Dale Plummer will officiate. Roberta wanted her friends and family to share a story or thought about her if they desire.

Roberta was born May 18, 1921 in Kenna, N.M. about 50 miles from Roswell, and 10 miles from Kenna at the Lazy E Ranch, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Crosby, Robert's paternal grandparents.

In the 20's, Thelma, Bob and Roberta spent all of their time traveling from one Rodeo to another, in a Buick Coup with horse and trailer behind. Bob winning every show and getting better every day. Save, was the key word, Thelma kept a tiny notebook, while staying in every cheap motel and camping beside the road, giving up all creature comforts, when they stopped to eat, which was seldom. Bob unloaded Comet and taught the horse and Roberta many tricks to perform in the arena. She was 2 ½ years old.

In 1924 Tex Austin, the movie producer took 250 contestants to London to produce a rodeo. Roberta and Comet performed their act at White City Stadium, in the arena in front of the Queen.

When they returned to the states in 1925, Bob entered the Roosevelt Trophy contest sponsored in memory of Theodor Roosevelt. They all three continued to travel until Robert was eight, and hat to be put in school. While Bob was riding the circuit Thelma built a little duplex in Abilene, TX near her sister and her friend, Dorothy Good. Thelma left Roberta with the girls while she joined Bob most of the year. The year was 1928 and Bob Crosby did win the famous trophy and his title The Worlds Champion Cowboy. He continued to rope to keep his title. They moved to Roswell to help Bob's father at the ranch. They packed up Roberta and she entered the 3rd grade at 10 years old. They bought a house at 500 S. Lea, she grew up there gaining a little brother in 1936. In the summer of 39 they moved to a new home on Riverside Dr. Roberta graduated in 1940, then went to two years college, worked a year, then married H.F. Burkstaller, a Sergeant in the Air Corp in 1944. He was sent overseas to fly B-29's. Roberta stayed with her parents, until Burk left the Army. He worked for Hetting Bro., building homes and remodeling, also their own home on 3rd St., where they reared their children. In 1971 they bought a place in the mountains and put in a tennis camp. Roberta cooked three meals a day for 18 campers, and she and Louis Caraveo taught crafts, painting, etc.., while Herman taught tennis.

After 20 years in the mountains they moved back to their original home on 3rd St. and later they retired in Elida, NM to be near their daughter and son-in-law. Roberta enjoyed her many friends in Elida and cherished those friendships.

Her survivors are Douglas Bake Burkstaller and his wife Sandra and their girls; Jennifer, Jessica, Janelle and Janette; Debrah Smith and husband Burton and their three children, Burton C. Smith the 4th and wife Barbara and six
children Kelly, Keven, Khris Summer Daly and husband Charlie, and two little girls Savannah and Chloe, (second son) Crosby Blake Smith, and wife Chilla and Crosby Jr. and Sophie her youngest son (Robert's) Damon Crosby Burkstaller and numerous grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother; Thelma J. Crosby, Robert Anderson Crosby, Bob Crosby Jr. and wife Barbara.

The reception will be held in the church after the services. There will be no procession to the grave yard.

Service

Cemetery