Tina Marie Billman

On Sunday evening, May 4,2025, Tina Billman, 56, passed away peacefully at her home in Hardin. MT of a suspected heart attack. She had spent the day with her father (Ken), niece (Eve) and twin sister (Tana) working on a landscaping project at Tana’s house. However, the day of Tina’s death was not all work and no play. She convinced Eve and her dad to take Eve’s new, never ridden electric scooter out for a spin. There is video evidence of each of them zooming around Tana’s neighborhood having a blast. That was quintessential Tina - bringing light and laughter into the lives of the people around her via her shenanigans.

Tina was born on February 20, 1969, in Billings, MT to Kenneth and Diane (Kern) Billman. She graduated from Billings West High School in 1987 and continued her education at Carroll College in Helena, MT. Tina graduated from Carroll in May of 1991 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. A month later, she started at the University of Denver (DU) in Denver, Colorado to obtain a Master of Social Work. Tina had been accepted into the coveted Advance Standing Social Work Program there, which allowed her to receive her master’s degree in one year. Tina graduated from DU in June 1992 and that was the beginning of her much-loved and rewarding career working with children. At the time of her death, Tina was working at the Hardin School District in Hardin, MT as a school counselor.

It is difficult to sum up Tina’s life and what she meant to those who knew and loved her. Tina was a quirky, kind, fun loving, extremely generous and hardworking woman. However, she was no saint; her stubbornness was notorious. More importantly though, Tina was the fun, protective and mischievous “Aunty T” to her niece; she was the “beloved daughter” to her father and mother (Diane); she was her twin sister’s “partner in crime”; she was the girl (young and old) following her dad around to help him repair or build something; she was the “master griller and cook” to her friends and family. If you were lucky enough to enjoy Tina’s BBQ and home cooked meals that she made, you were a blessed person. She was the “amusing and entertaining up for any adventure” friend to Annette, Julie, Kathy, Robinn, Casey, Amy, Tanita, Shawna, Ginny and her many other friends. She was also that person to her sister; niece; cousins Robyn, Janette and Janelle; and aunts Judy and Shirley. “Ms. Billman” was the understanding, caring and loving advocate for her many students in Hardin; she was also the “helping hand” to anyone who needed it, and so much more.

Tina was preceded in death by her mother, Diane; her brother, Charlie; her grandparents, Joe and Veronica Billman, Russell and Albertina Kern and Jake Pfaff; aunt’s Gladys Reed, Alice (Wally) Lambrecht, Carolyn (George) Lambrecht, Eleonor Kern and Randi Billman; uncles Rod Kern, Donald Kern, Douglas Kern, Albert Kern, Barney Billman, William Billman and Jerry Brittain.

Tina is survived by her father, Kenneth Billman; twin sister, Tana Billman; niece, Eve Billman; aunts Margaret Larson, Elsie Austin, Judy Kern, Marilyn Kern, Judy Brittain, Shirley (Doug) Bales: uncle Jack Billman and 31 first cousins.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Amy Stops, Tanita Wagenaar, Shawna Kenny and Ginny Mitchell for being there with Tina on Monday.

Funeral services will be at 12:00 p.m. Friday, May 16th at St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral, 215 N 31st Street, Billings, MT 59101 with a luncheon immediately following. Internment will be on Saturday, May 17th at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery, 1641 Mullowney Lane, Billings, MT 59101. Michelotti-Sawyer is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hardin School District.

https://www.hardin.k12.mt.us/article/2195516