Barbara June Alber, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2025, at the age of 86, in Mackay, Idaho, the place she always called home.
Born on May 21, 1938, in Mackay to Wesley Thomas Ivie and Edna Elizabeth Ivie, Bobbie, as she was affectionately known, grew up in the Lost River Valley and graduated from Mackay High School in 1956. In 1957, she married Robert Morris, and together they had three children: Jay, Dixie, and Diana. The family lived in Arco, Idaho, where Bobbie began to establish herself as a kind-hearted, hard-working woman. Though Bobbie and Robert later divorced, it was in 1972 that Bobbie found her true soulmate, Robert Eugene Alber. On April 15, 1972, they married and began a beautiful life together. In the years that followed, Bobbie and Bob moved their family to Washington, where she became well known as an exceptional cook. She worked at several local restaurants, building a reputation for delicious meals that brought people together. Whether it was crabbing, fishing, or hunting oysters and clams on their boat, The Bobbies II, Bobbie always ensured the catch of the day was prepared fresh and served with love, making treasured memories with her family along
the way. Bobbie’s love for food, community, and family never wavered, and her kitchen became the heart of her life.
In 1989, Bobbie and Bob returned to Mackay, where they purchased the White Knob Motel and RV Park. Bobbie’s lifelong dream of owning a restaurant was realized with the opening of the Garden Patch Pizza. This venture was a true reflection of her passion for cooking and connecting with others. Bobbie served homemade pies, soups, and pizza that became staples in the community. For many, Garden Patch Pizza was more than a restaurant—it was a place where family, friends, and the local community could always count on warm hospitality and a delicious meal.
Bobbie’s hobbies were as diverse as they were meaningful to her. She enjoyed fishing, camping, rock hounding, quilting, and golfing. She was an active member of the Jehovah’s
Witness faith, finding peace and joy in her worship on Sunday mornings with her cherished congregation. The relationships she built with her brothers and sisters in the church were of great significance in her life.
Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, Wesley and Edna Ivie, her brother Elmer Ray Ivie, her sister Florence “Smokey” Rindfleisch, and her granddaughters Misty Dawn Prain and Ashley Janel Prain. She leaves behind her devoted husband, Robert Alber, her children Jay Morris (Arco), Dixie (Jim) Burgess (Arlington, WA), and Diana (Ed) Zartuche (Mackay), seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren include JJ Burgess, Kyle Burgess, Joe Prain, Chelsea Jenkins, Caleb Zartuche, Robert, and Tanna. Great grandchildren are Laken, Alizae, and Jax. Bobbie will be deeply missed by all who knew her—her love, warmth, and wisdom will forever be remembered.
Services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of the Anderson Family Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a local charity in Bobbie’s honor, a fitting tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to serving others with kindness, generosity, and her incredible culinary talent.