George Bert Roylance

George Bert Roylance, 85, passed away January 7, 2010 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, WA. from complications due to pneumonia. Bert was born in Sugar Salem, ID. on January 18, 1924 to George Edmond Roylance and Mabel Claire Valentine. He was the 4th of 9 children and was the first born son. In his youth, his parents were dairy farmers and Bert gained a love for the animals and the land. In 1934, when he was 10 years old, his family moved to Meridian, ID. and he graduated from Meridian High School in 1941. After graduation, he worked for a while and then was drafted into the Army in July of 1944. He served in the 357th Infantry division 3rd Army under General George Patton in the Battle of the Bulge. He was honorably discharged on July 12, 1946 and received the Purple Heart. On returning home, he married his sweetheart, Zelma Noreen Lowry, on August 12, 1946 in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They made their first home in Meridian, ID. and then after hearing about the land opportunities available in the Columbia Basin Project, they moved to Moses Lake, WA. in 1953. In 1957, they moved their family to Warden, WA. where they still reside. Bert was an accomplished farmer and dairyman, and he was very involved in the registered holstein industry. His great determination and hard work ethic served his family well. He had a great love for the outdoors and especially loved deep sea fishing. Bert also loved building and he always had a new project in the works. Because of his generous nature, he entertained many of his family and friends at his summer homes in Sitka, Alaska and Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. Bert greatly loved his wife and family, and his great sense of humor will be missed by all who were privileged to know him. Bert is survived by his loving wife, Zelma, of 63 years and their 7 children: Clare & (Debbie) Roylance of Warden, WA., Gwen Gunter of North Salt Lake, UT., Gwenda & (Ken) Maughan of Sandy, Ut., Bonnie & (Phil) Owen of Farr West, UT., Brent & (Nesha) Roylance, Gary & (ValaRee) Roylance, and Bruce & (Shauna) Roylance all of Moses Lake, WA.; 36 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; his brother Jay & (Elaine) Roylance of Othello, WA., and 4 sisters, LuDeen Earl of Moses Lake, WA., Lola Cole of Warden, WA., Norma Leavitt of Mesa, AZ., and Donna & (Dennis) Killian of Othello, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents and three older sisters, Clea Nelson, Verla Flick, and Grace Pickerd. Bert was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many capacities which included serving a mission in Nauvoo, IL. with his wife, Zelma. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at Samaritan Hospital and Sacred Heart Medical Center for their compassionate care. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Warden, WA. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Warden. Family will greet friends on Friday, January 15th at Kayser's Chapel of Memories in Moses Lake, WA. from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. and at the Church from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, January 16th.

George Bert Roylance

January 18, 1924 - January 7, 2010