LIVE STREAM LINK
LAVERNE LOUIS ROBERTS (1937-2026)
On the early morning of March 17, 2026, Laverne “Vern” Louis Roberts, peacefully, passed away of natural causes. Vern was being visited and comforted by his family, pastor, and familiar staff members of an assisted care facility in Montana City, Montana. He was 88 years old.
Vern was born on July 26, 1937, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, to Floyd Lavern Roberts and Lucelia Mehlbrech Roberts. He had two sisters, Carolyn Roberts Lorenson (1933) and Evelyn Roberts Lang (1945).
In 1950, when he was 13 years old, the family moved to York, Montana. Tragically, on July 5, 1952, his mother (age 41) passed away due to complications from surgery. Afterwards, his sisters moved to Nebraska. Vern (age 14) decided to become emancipated and remain in Montana. Due to a lack of transportation, he dropped out of high school (freshman/sophomore years) and began work on a ranch that was owned by Florence Belknap, his fifth-grade schoolteacher. After some time, he returned to high school where he spent his summers on the ranch, worked on a poultry farm during the winter, went to school during the day, and worked on the ranch during the weekends. He successfully graduated high school in 1957. After graduation, he went to work in Helena, Montana, at Jorgenson’s Restaurant, Weggenman’s Market on South Main Street, Sheehan’s Distributing, and the State of Montana Department of Revenue in the Print Shop, where he received the Employee of the Year award in 1979. Vern also served as a member of the Montana Army National Guard where he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant (SGT). One night, while dancing at the Eagles supper club he met his future wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Herrig. They were married, April 14, 1973, at St. John’s Lutheran Church and settled in Helena, Montana, where they became active members of the Valley View Lutheran Church. Vern was a great dad to his three stepchildren (Sherrie, Kathy, & Patti Herrig). He took his family fishing; helped with homework; visited many historical, western locations in Montana and South Dakota; walked his daughters down the aisle when they got married; and was a substantial part of his grand and great-grandchildren’s lives.
Vern was preceded in death by: Floyd Roberts (father), Lucelia Mehlbrech (mother), Elizabeth “Betty” Roberts (wife), Carolyn Roberts Lorenson (sister), and Evelyn Roberts Lang (sister).
Vern is survived by: Sherrie Herrig Hogan, Kathy Herrig Briggs, Patti Herrig Thompson (daughters), Tyler Nelson, Stefanie Nelson Fitte, Jessie Briggs Peterson, Joseph K. Briggs, Katie Roberts Styren and Jenny Powell (grandchildren), Tanner Nelson, Tevin Nelson, Camden Nelson, Joslyn Briggs, Joseph M. Briggs, Sadie Styren, Caleb Styren, Sarah Styren, Quinn Fitte, Madison Fitte, Brady and Lucy Powell (great-grandchildren), Larry Roberts, Harvey Finley (nephews), Robyn Lang Peterson, and Kandi Lang Paulson (nieces).
A public viewing will be held Monday, March 23, 2026, between 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home & Crematory, 3750 North Montana Avenue, Helena, Montana 59602.
Join the family for a funeral service on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 10:00 a.m., at Valley View Lutheran Church. Following the service, Vern will be interred, beside his wife, at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 7100 N. Montana Ave., Helena, MT 59602.
Condolences, memorials, flowers, and special donations for the church building fund may be sent to Valley View Lutheran Church, 3000 N. Benton Ave, Helena, MT 59601, (406) 443-6663.
The family would like to thank the staff at Valley View Lutheran Church, Golden Options Care Assisted Living (https://www.goldenoptionscare.com), and Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz Funeral Home & Crematory (https://aswfuneralhome.com) for their valuable help and caring.
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday March 23, 2026
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday March 24, 2026
Valley View Lutheran Church
3000 N. Benton Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the funeral service
Tuesday March 24, 2026
Social Center of the Church
,
Interment
Following the reception
Tuesday March 24, 2026
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Service Schedule
Visitation
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday March 23, 2026
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday March 24, 2026
Valley View Lutheran Church
3000 N. Benton Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the funeral service
Tuesday March 24, 2026
Social Center of the Church
,
Interment
Following the reception
Tuesday March 24, 2026
Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
7100 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Share
Kim Flatow says
Sherrie, Kathy and Pattie – my deepest sympathies to your entire family. I did smile at the thought of Father Clock being united with Mother Clock. Hold your memories close. Bless you all.
Dean Retz says
Many great memories of Vern when I was in grade and high school. My father was best of friends with Cash Belknap, and I spent a lot of time with Vern at the ranch at Beaver Creek! GOD BLESS1
Fay Dee Hamilton says
What a beautiful obituary Sherrie of a life well lived. You included him in so much and made his remaining years good ones. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Les Bishop says
Great memories of working with Vern at Sheehans wholesale! Hard working man with an excellent work ethic!
Diane Tordale says
I met Vern when I went to work at the Dept of Revenue in 1979. He was a pleasure to work with. Had some good times. My condolences to the family.
Pastor Scott Martz says
I have had the privilege to serve as Vern’s Pastor for the last four years. It was an honor. God gave Vern strong faith. I look forward to seeing Vern again on Glory’s side of things. Thanks be to Jesus for his gifts of forgiveness and Everlasting Life!