The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Roberta "Bobbie" Jeanne Lucas, age 75, left this world to return to her cowboy sweetheart Friday, June 21st.

Bobbie was born in Gar- den Valley, Idaho to Robert and Odessa Banka March 3rd, 1938. Family was al- ways a priority and she loved to spend time with her younger siblings Marion Strandy of Spokane, WA; Judy & Paul Lucas of Pah- rump, NV; Linda & Ron Col- lison of Sandpoint, ID; Kay & Coy Kratz of Pahrump, NV; Ed & Wilma Banka of Las Vegas, NV; Teddy & Wally Huggins of Bonners Ferry, ID; and Ron & Debi Banka of Spokane, WA.

At age 16 Bobbie met Gary playing Hide-and-Go- Seek and went on to marry the love of her life, July 3rd, 1954 in Thermopolis, WY. Together they raised four children: LeAnn & Mike Engels of Pahrump, NV; Kenneth & Laura Lucas of Soldotna, AK; Jan Salonen of Pahrump, NV; and Craig & Nilda Lucas of Odessa, TX. Bobbie and Gary being the eldest of both families were always lending a help- ing hand to their younger siblings, treating them as their own. Gary's work as an electrical lineman led them to live in many places, one of which was Waitsburg, WA for many years. After the loss of Gary in Soldotna, AK June 26th, 1986, Bobbie returned to Sandpoint where she is best known for her 16 years of work as a cashier at the Sandpoint Super Drug. Her eleven grandchildren: Dustin & Becky Engels, BreAnn & Josh O'Leary, Anjani & Jace Webb, Kendra & Derek Par- ry, Lucas Salonen, Marquee & Brett Ricks, Joey Lucas, Garren Lucas, Andy Lucas, Kit Lucas, and Quinn Lucas remember many Christmas gifts from the Drug Store and warm summers spent with Grandma at the Sandpoint Beach. Eleven great- grandchildren, one of which was born the morning she passed, also survive her.

In October of last year Bobbie moved with her daughters to Pahrump, NV. She enjoyed the rest of her time in warm weather and with family visiting often. Bobbie's wishes were to return to Alaska to be buried by her sweetheart.