Roberta J. Wayland, age 90, of Helena, passed away Dec. 20, 2025.
Our Mom was born on June 7, 1935 in Broadus, MT to Norma Crayes and Daniel Wayne Camp. 3 more children followed. So being the oldest, she was the boss. Her dad worked in construction so was away for a good part of the week and it was always a happy time when he returned home. Broadus is hot so they often played in the root cellar where she had a little kitchen set up. One day there was a bull snake in the oven that slowed down the cooking in the cellar. She loved scissors to the point that after being told NOT to cut her brothers and sister’s hair anymore Gramma took the scissors and threw them in the wood stove.
When she was around 9 the family moved to Miles City and around 14 to Hamilton MT. Here is where there was family to play with, adventures with lifelong friends and mischief to be had. She graduated from Hamilton High in 1953. In the fall she started her first year at U of M. She loved everything about college life and the sorority life. She would travel back and forth home in Hamilton with whomever had a car and was going. One time her ride wasn’t going to go back and so they arranged for their nephew Tony Wayland to give her a ride back to Missoula. He was 6 yrs older and worked for the Railroad. They got acquainted on the ride back to Missoula and he asked her out for the next week, Monday, but she couldn’t go, she had a house meeting, Tuesday another commitment, Wednesday another school group, until finally on Thursday she was able to go to the movie. Dad returned to his apartment he was sharing with a roommate and said he was never asking her out again. Famous last words.
They were married June 17, 1954 at the Methodist Church in Hamilton MT and no more college.
They had a small apartment on the south side of Missoula with a murphy bed. She got a job at the local paper, The Missoulian, which she would walk to every day. She used to tell us this was the healthiest and strongest she had ever been. Ten months later Vicki Jean was born, April 27,1955. She used to tell us that the old ladies in Hamilton counted down the months between that wedding and my birth. Since Gramma and Grandpa on both sides were in Hamilton there was help and lots of traveling back and forth.
Somewhere after my birth Dad got a job as a civilian with the Army in Butte and we moved. We lived in Silver Bow homes up on the hill by the Berkely Pit. And several other places, it seemed to me, before settling at 207 Howard. I asked her once if we moved so many times in Butte because we were one step ahead of the landlord.
Daniel Tony was born there on July 12, 1957. We loved it there as there were kids everywhere to play with. Danny liked to play with the hose and would squirt whoever came by. He would also get all of his clothes off, EXCEPT, his high-top leather shoes which Mom double tied to play in the mud and water.
Butte was magical as a kid. Mom belonged to the Butte Jr. Women’s Club and loved it. We have no idea what they did other than a service organization. I don’t remember my mom working while we lived there. She had 2 rambunctious kids to try and wrangle. We had a German Shorthair named Chief. He was a co-conspirator in everything we did.
Sometime in June 1964 my dad got transferred to Helena with the Army and he traveled back and forth for as long as the Army would allow and then was told he had to move to Helena. We settled at 10 Lincoln Rd W where we had horses, steers, pigs, and ducks. Dan learned to Ride and it was off to team roping’s. Mom made dinner at all hours so we could all eat together, a very important priority.
Mom got a job at the Mountainview School for girls and worked for the administrator. She did lots of typing and tried to keep everything running smoothly. She also worked for Ideal Services as a secretary and was sent out to many different offices all over the city. She did work for Governor Ted Schwinden and loved it. She retired when she turned 62 and we had a big Party. I guess she didn’t tell Dad she was retiring as he seemed very surprised. Now she had time for pinochle card parties and the YMCA water aerobics program. She was active in anything she could get involved in. Slowly Macular degeneration robbed her of her sight and she had to depend on Dad to do the driving. You can imagine, if you knew my parents, how this might have gone.
Saying that my mom loved to knit is an understatement. She made us so many sweaters, vests, socks, hats, scarves, blankets, anything that involved yarn she could do. She also sewed and it was such a treat to get a homemade outfit for Christmas. I have kept as much of what she knitted or sewn for me and my family to this day. She made our live magical growing up and into Adulthood. She loved being a grandmother to Jacob and Jesse, probably a better highlight than being a mom.
We were able to care for our mom at home until her death in the early hours of December 20, 2025.
She is survived by Vicki, (Charles), and grandsons Jacob and Jesse Ruzicka and son Dan, also Steven Camp who our mom and dad helped raise, and her brother Vic. Nieces and nephews who loved her very much will also miss her terribly.
We will miss Mom every day just like we miss our Dad.
Service for Bobbie will be held April 11 at 1100am at Life Covenant Church 800 N. Hoback, Helena.
In lieu of Flowers please make a donation to the YMCA.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday April 11, 2026
Life Covenant Church
800 N Hoback
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday April 11, 2026
Life Covenant Church
800 N Hoback
Helena, Montana 59601
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Deb W says
Vicki,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers of comfort and strength during this time.
David Armstrong says
Dan, we are sorry for the loss of your mother. You can take comfort in the fact that she is no longer suffering with physical pain. She is now at peace.
Janet and I wanted you to know that we are thinking of you through these difficult times.
Curtis Stanghill says
Dan and Vicki, so sorry for your loss, prayers for all the family
Su DeBree says
Bobbie brought so much love and joy to our aqua aerobics class, and even after she couldn’t get to class, she graced our birthday parties. I still have some of her washrags. They are the best. her memory will always be a blessing to me.
Patrick McKelvey says
She was a great person…….and put up with a lot, fun, work, and play. A great life.
Debbie schmaus says
Your mom was one of the most special person I have ever met. I loved her smile and wonderful hugs. She was just so very special. I will miss her terribly.
Betsy Robel says
So very sorry to hear of Bobbie’s passing. My Dad, Don Robel, was the superintendent of Mountain View. I was out there a lot with my Mom, Lois, when I was a little girl. Both of my parents thought very highly of Bobbie. I still have and treasure the beautiful poncho Bobbie made me when I was a little girl. She was always very kind and friendly.