Helen Bailey

Helen Katherine Bailey, age 86, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2023, in Billings, Montana.

Helen was born in Byron, Wyoming, on March 16, 1937, to parents Carl and Mollie (Manweiler) Bechtold. As a young girl, she lived on a wheat farm near Joliet, Montana. She graduated from Joliet High School in 1956 and worked at an insurance agency in Billings until marrying Richard (Dick) Noble Bailey, her high school sweetheart, in 1957.

She and her husband started their family while Dick was serving in the US Navy in Millington, Tennessee, eventually moving to Imperial Beach, California in 1959. After leaving military service, they returned to Billings to raise their family.

Helen managed the mailing department at the Kampgrounds of America corporate office in Billings. Soon after, she found her true calling at Econo Print where she learned to do bindery, offset printing, and manage a print shop. She loved running the press and was one of the first women in Billings to be a press operator, a fact she was proud of. She later became the manager of the printing and mailing department at Ryan's Wholesale Food Distributors.

In 1988, she started her own print shop, Main Street Printers, in Billings Heights. She was well respected in the community and valued for the professional relationships she forged throughout her career. Her warm and friendly smile and genuine appreciation for her business relationships were well-regarded even after her retirement. She managed the business until she retired in 2007 when her son Dave began running the business.

Helen valued family above all earthly things. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter. She was a consummate caretaker, striving to ensure her family had the love and support they needed to be successful in life. She trained both of her younger sons to become successful offset printers.

In retirement, she loved spending time with family, traveling across the western US and Canada, watching the everchanging seasons in her butterfly gardens, collecting dolls, making wedding cakes, and with her husband, caring for her faithful companions Jade (Husky mix) and two calico cats, Tiger and Red. She recounted many fond memories from her childhood, helping her grandmother in her gardens, spending time with her father on the farm, and growing up with her three brothers on the dryland farms near Joliet.

Helen was a strong and loving woman, setting goals and working hard to achieve them. She was a breast cancer survivor and bravely overcame a number of serious health incidents in the last few years. Her strength and determination without losing her love of life and family have been an inspiration.

Helen was preceded in death by her father, Carl Bechtold, mother, Mollie Bechtold, and recently, older brother, Fred Bechtold.

Helen leaves behind her husband Dick Bailey of 66 years, brothers Ralph Bechtold and Kenny (Virginia) Bechtold of Billings, sons Richard Bailey Jr. (Tony) of Spokane, WA, Dave Bailey of Billings, and Tim Bailey of Portland, OR. She also leaves behind two grandchildren Steven Bailey and Shauna Bailey (Jason Palmer), great-granddaughter Adilynn, cousin Sharon Jordan of Lovell, WY, and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Dahl Funeral Chapel, funeral services are to be held at 10:30 am at Atonement Lutheran Church on December 1, 2023. Memorials may be made to Atonement Lutheran Church or a charity of choice. Please visit www.dahlfuneralchapel.com to offer condolences to the family or share a favorite memory of Helen.