Roberta Joan "Bobbie" Boyd

Roberta Joan Boyd was born on June 18, 1932, in Wolf Point, Montana, the eldest of 8 children born to Helen Sparks and George A. Boyd, Jr. She passed away peacefully on December 15 in Billings, Montana, after a brief, unexpected illness.

Roberta “Bobbie” was raised on the family ranch 15 miles north of Brockton, Montana. She attended school in Brockton and often stayed with her paternal grandmother, Nellie Blackdog Boyd, who lived closer to town. After graduating from Brockton High School in 1951, Bobbie went on to attend college in Bozeman, earning a degree in nursing. While working at the Wolf Point Hospital, Bobbie met future husband, Emory Emerson. They married in September 1953 and from this union they had four children: Roxanne, Roy, Eugene and Robert. They made their home in Brockton until their divorce in 1965. Bobbie and the kids traveled and lived a nomadic life. They visited many states, among them California, Arizona, Utah, Oregon and Washington. She worked in various jobs throughout those years using her expertise as an experienced seamstress and talented cook/baker to teach; teaching seemed to be her forte throughout her life.

In her later years, kids fully grown, Bobbie returned to further her education at MSU-Northern in Havre, receiving her RN degree. She nursed in Havre and Malta after graduation. Bobbie worked at A&S Industries as an Occupational Health Nurse until their closure. She went on to work at Kicking Horse Job Corp in Ronan, teaching the nursing students until she retired.

Bobbie inherited her renowned father’s artistic talent. She painted and won awards and used different mediums, her rocks with nature and animals being coveted by the lucky owner. She painted until her failing eyesight caused her to set her brush down. She was a proficient crafter and made stuffed bears and dolls for her grandchildren as well as being a skilled seamstress sewing beautiful clothing for her one and only daughter, Roxanne and school shirts for the boys, much to their chagrin.

Following once again in her father’s footsteps, she became a cattle rancher, and her son Roy, was her steadfast partner in the venture. She lived in the beautiful mountains of Moiese, before moving home to Poplar and finally, north of Brockton, with her beloved Herefords.

In her final years, she enjoyed simple living: overseeing the running of the ranch, cooking and baking for her son and friends, her delicious Christmas cookie tins were looked forward to. She enjoyed chatting on the phone with her family and friends and was an avid watcher of bull riding. Bobbie lived in many places near and far throughout her life making lasting friendships along the way. She could be stubborn and ornery at times, but she would probably like to be remembered as being her own woman, strong and independent, and she was.

Roberta was preceded in death by her parents, George and Helen, her brothers, George Jr., Eugene and Daryl; her sisters, Winona and Judy.

Bobbie will be missed by her children, Roxanne (Rudy) of Idaho, Roy Emerson Sr. (Joleen) of Brockton, Eugene Emerson (Teresa) of Oregon, and Robert Emerson of Alaska; her surviving siblings, brothers, Lionel (Rose) Boyd and Terry (Ann) Boyd, and sister, Patricia Menz; her grandchildren Candis (Tim) Bayes, Wendy (Kevin) Carpenter and Kipton (Steph) Hicks, Callan (Denise) Bighorn, Roy Jr. (Nicole) Emerson, Tyler (Hannah) Emerson, Kellie Emerson, Mathew Emerson, Samuel Emerson, Bailey Anne Sharp, James (Rikki) Emerson, Jennifer Lewis, Shane (Kristel) Emerson, Brandie (Mark) Boerschinger; her great-grandchildren Mattie Kate, Trent, Anne, Gatlin, Dalley Sue, Liam, Kolin, Joslyn, Ryker, Jayceon, Colby, Collin, Kenna, Lincoln, Roman, Saxon, Addison, McKenna, Kendra, Kaeden, Siraiah and Marley.

Roberta will be laid to rest next to her maternal grandmother, Nellie Fields Sparks, at Brockton Riverview Cemetery.

Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the guestbook below.