Burtis Leon Roberts

Burtis Leon Roberts

09/10/1943 – 06/15/2020

On Monday, June 15, 2020, Burtis Leon Roberts passed away at his childhood home in Etna, Wyoming.  Burtis was born on September 10, 1943, the fourth son of Cyril and Lois Roberts.  He grew up enjoying all the wonders of Star Valley; hunting, fishing, camping and working hard.  He graduated from Star Valley High School, class of 1962.  He was proud to have played on the first Star Valley High School football team to win a state championship. 

After high school Burtis served an LDS mission in Ontario, Canada.  He loved sharing the gospel. His testimony was shared throughout his life to anyone, sometimes much to his children’s embarrassment.  However, his ability to ‘visit’ with anyone about anything was a lesson not lost on those who knew him.   He was always a missionary and so proud of his children and grandchildren who served and are currently serving missions.  

Burtis had many good friends in life. Two of his closest friends were Dick Jorgenson and Rex Brown. They were both true friends throughout his life and have had many adventures over the years.  Burtis and Dick met while serving in the National Guard.  Rex and Burtis were childhood friends.

While working summers in California and going to school at BYU during the school year, he met his eternal companion, Teresa Fletcher.   They were married in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple August 30, 1968.  They moved to California and had their first son, Trevor.  The next move took them to Salt Lake City, Utah where their daughter, Courtney was born.  Burtis couldn’t stay away from his mountain home, so he moved his young family to Freedom, Wyoming in 1973, where their son, Fletcher and daughter, Alison were born.  They raised their family in Freedom until moving to Etna in 2008. 

While living in Star Valley, Burtis worked in the mines in Soda Springs, then for most of his career worked for Lincoln County Road and Bridge.  While working these jobs, he started Deer Creek Construction, in which he did backhoe, dump truck and loader work on the side.  After retirement he and his brother started Star Valley Storage.  One trait Burtis had was the ability to work hard, which he proudly instilled into each of his children.  His typical work day was from sun up to sun down, even until the end he was working on one of his many ‘projects’.

During retirement he bought a pontoon boat and discovered the joy of fishing on Jackson Lake.  He loved to take his children, grandchildren, friends and acquaintances fishing on the lake.  Many of his family’s memories are on the boat fishing, surrounded by the incredible scenery of the Tetons. 

Burtis was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, in which he served in many capacities.   During his senior years he worked as an ordinance worker in the Idaho Falls Temple and the Star Valley Temple.  A position he loved and where met many wonderful friends and motorcycling buddies.  Four words sum up Burtis; Work, Faith, Family, Fish.

Burtis is survived by his wife Teresa Fletcher, children; Trevor David Roberts (Shelli), Courtney Roberts, Fletcher Dane Roberts (Marissa), Alison Ann Penny (Dustin), and twelve grandchildren; Lexi (Chase Cuillard), Ethan, Tieg, Hanna, Mason, Crew, Beaux, Leah, Liv, Slayden, Ashley and Keira. He is survived by siblings;  Gene (Gale) Roberts, Darrell (Dianne) Roberts, Connie (Kevin) Bowers. He was preceded in death by his father Cyril, his mother Lois, his brothers Norris Roberts, Bryce Roberts and Kendall Roberts, his sisters Leah Joyce and Verla Prescott and grandson Drew Penny. 

Services will be held at noon on Saturday June 20, 2020 at the Schwab Mortuary Chapel in Thayne.   A viewing will be held from 10:30-11:45 prior to the services.  Interment will be held following in the Etna, Wyoming Cemetery.