Helen Caroline Milligan

1928-2008

            Helen Caroline Milligan, 80, a long time resident of Billings, passed away peacefully on June 15^th after an extended illness.

            She was born on April 9^th, 1928 in Great Falls, Montana to Nytar and Noneeta Noble Reese. The eldest of four children, Helen lived in Great Falls attending Franklin Elementary School before moving to Billings in 1937.  After graduating from Billings Senior High School in 1946, she attended Montana State University where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.

            Helen married Glenn Edward Milligan from Billings in 1948. In the early years of their marriage, they lived in Absarokee and ran Milligan’s IGA. They moved to Glendive where owned and operated the Standard Oil bulk plant. During that time, they developed many lifelong friends. They returned to Billings in 1967 to operate the Standard Oil bulk plant. Over the years, they also owned and operated several businesses including GEM Realty.

            Helen and Glenn would have celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary on July 18^th.

            Helen thrived on her friendships, her telephone conversations with those far and near and she kept her competitive edge with her bridge playing.  Helen was a wonderful role model as a wife, mother, and grandmother.  She will be greatly missed.

            She is survived by her husband Glenn, sons Bill (Cindy), Jerry (Pam) of Billings,  and Mike (Lanette) of Cody, Wyoming; daughter Terri Tippets (Layne) of Los Altos, California; two sisters, Shirley Duderstadt of Tomball, Texas, and Virginia Grossman of Albuquerque, New Mexico; brother, Robert Reese (Carolyn) of Springville, Utah; and 3 grandchildren, Lauren, Katie and Matt Tippets of Los Altos, California.

            Cremation has taken place and a memorial service  will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, June 20^th, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary at 1001 Alderson Avenue in Billings with burial of cremated remains at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow the interment service at the Elks Club on 9^th and Lewis.  Michelotti-Sawyers was in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left for the family at www.michelottisawyers.com

            Memorials may be made to the Yellowstone Council on Aging or the charity of one’s choice.