Carol Irene Robertson, longtime Harney and Malheur county resident, passed away peacefully Oct. 9 in Hines.

Carol was born Dec. 19, 1927, in Westfall, to Harry and Elizabeth Pearl “Bessie” Payne. She was the youngest of four children. Carol graduated from Harper School in 1945, and went on to study bookkeeping and accounting at the Kinman Business College in Spokane, Wash.

Carol married John William “Bill” Robertson June 1, 1948,  in Winnemucca, Nev. Theirs was a faithful and fruitful partnership.

Together, the couple successfully operated the well-known Robertson Ranch in Otis Valley and welcomed four healthy sons. Carol was second-to-none in her role as rancher’s wife and was a consummate business woman. She contributed to her community, serving on the school board and as a proud member of the Harney County Cattlewomen, the “CowBelles”.

In 1991, after 43 years on the ranch, she and Bill left the operation in the capable hands of their eldest son, Rex, and semi-retired to Ontario. There, Carol continued to keep a beautiful home and immaculate yard filled with flowers, an orchard, and large vegetable garden.

Carol was an exceptional cook and baker. She was skilled in cake decorating and appreciated for the excellent and elegant meals she put on the table, as well as the welcoming manner in which she greeted the many guests that graced that table. She enjoyed tending to her roses, participating in church, and traveling.

Those who loved her most will hold dear and long recall her beauty, dignity, and elegance.

Carol is survived by her four sons, Rex Robertson (Georgie) and Rod Robertson (Debbie) of Drewsey, Ralph Robertson (Debbie) of Astoria, and Randy Robertson (Lolly) of Naknek, Alaska; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; her dear niece, Dottie Hearn (Dean) of Gaithersburg, Md.; and countless good friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Elizabeth Pearl “Bessie” Payne; siblings, Dorothy P. Medlin, Clyde Payne, and Grace Payne; and husband, John William “Bill” Robertson.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at LaFollette’s Chapel in Burns.

Contributions in Carol Robertson’s memory may be made to the Travis Williams Fund, in care of U.S. Bank. Lafollette’s Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.