Betty Henkel passed away on January 20, 2020, surrounded by the two men she loved the most, her husband Bob Henkel and son Jay Henkel. Betty was born November 14, 1930 to Ed and Betty Mullowney. She grew up on the family farm on Mullowney Lane on the outskirts of Billings. The living was simple with no running water, but as a “tomboy” she loved the great outdoors with her horse “Bally” and young neighbors. She once cleaned dog kennels and came home with a goat for pay.
Her family moved in to Billings during her teens, which was near St. Vincent’s Hospital. She had fond memories of both her life on the farm and in town on Pine Street. While in her teens, she delivered telegrams on her bike all over Billings. Tex Ritter was one of her customers. She worked at Hart Albin’s children department, and was a Mountain Bell telephone operator.
She was educated at Catholic Fratt School, Billings Senior High School and Eastern Montana College. While in college she met Bob Henkel, who was a World War II U.S. Marine. Bob loved her at first sight. They became engaged, but the marriage was delayed a year when Betty suffered a heart disorder which hospitalized her for six months. They were married in 1952 at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Bob had just taken a job at the Billings Gazette.
They bought a home in Billings and enjoyed camping and water-skiing on many Montana lakes. In 1958 they welcomed their daughter, Kathy. The following year Bob accepted the position of advertising manager of Eddy’s Bakeries in Helena. Betty loved Helena and the view from their home on Mount Helena, where they lived for 60 years. Their son Jay came along in 1961. They built a cabin on Canyon Ferry Lake and for 18 years enjoyed every summer week-end there.
Bob’s job grew to advertising manager of the 55 bakeries in the General Bakeries Company, which had acquired Eddy’s Bakeries. He also headed up Sage Advertising, the bakery chain’s house agency. It took him to every state in the country. So Betty joined him on many of his trips, as well as vacations to Hawaii, Mexico, Europe and the Caribbean. The Henkels bought the Sage Building on 11th avenue and Betty managed the building for 23 years. During those years Betty enjoyed the time spent with family on their cabin cruiser at Gates of the Mountains.
Betty was an avid reader, and always enjoyed learning all she could devour about anything new and different. Betty will be remembered for her generosity of spirit and love and care for her family. She was always satisfied with the simple, uncomplicated life. This came from her frugal life growing up on the Mullowney farm.
A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Betty is survived by her husband Bob, brother Don Mullowney, sister Carol Thomson (Larry), son Jay Henkel (Pamela), grandchildren- Kris, Daniel, Alice, Jordan, Cole, Ana, Jayson, Rosie, and Dallas. She was preceded in death by her daughter Kathy, father Ed Mullowney, mother Betty Mullowney, and sister Mary Ellen Thompson.
A Funeral Mass will take place at Noon, January 28, 2020 at Saint Helena Cathedral, 530 N. Ewing St. Following the Mass there will be a luncheon in the lower level of the Cathedral in the Brondel Center. Burial will be at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison later with family. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Betty.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 28, 2020
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the Mass
Tuesday January 28, 2020
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Tuesday January 28, 2020
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 28, 2020
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the Mass
Tuesday January 28, 2020
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial
Tuesday January 28, 2020
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Ft. Harrison, Montana 59636
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Margaret L Woo says
Dear Bob and Jay,
I’m so sad to read this news. Betty was one of the sweetest women I have know, and a true partner in your businesses. She came from a generation of people who lived remarkable lives full of adventure. My condolences to you and your family for your loss.
Margaret
Sherri Roberts says
Oh Bob & Jay..
Bill & I are so sad to hear about Betty. Prayers for both of you and your families… She was a great lady.. Still remember times you & Betty came out to camping site over by Boulder and you both sat down by the creek reading.. Precious & dear memories..
So sorry for the loss of a great lady.
Sherri & Bill
Leslie Buckley says
Bob
I am so sorry for your loss—you both have been a very integral part of our Buckley family—I send my love and my prayers to you during this time—She was a beautiful gift to our world
Love always
Leslie Buckley
MIKE BURKE says
Bob & Jay,
Betty was a wonderful woman and I always enjoyed visits to your cabin because she was so welcoming and wanted to make sure I was fed. As I recall she was the best mother that I knew who was a great water skier too just like all of her family. She was a wonderful woman and I’m sad for your loss. God bless.
Mike Burke
Concetta Eckel says
Bob, Len and I are sad to hear of Betty’s passing. She was a wonderful partner to you & allowed you the opportunity to do great things in and for Helena. I always enjoyed seeing her at lunch around town and having a nice chat.
Concetta
Margaret Corcoran says
Bob and Jay
Betty was a long-time regular customer at Benny’s Bistro. She came at least weekly, always sat at table 21 and liked her coffee hot! She also noticed if yesterday’s special had been “repurposed” for today’s soup…
She was the kind of customer hard working restaurant workers love and need. We will miss her dearly and offer you our condolences.
Mary Kay & George Bennett says
Dear Bob & Jay:
We are so sorry about Betty..she was the sweetest lady we knew. And, she is smiling down on all of us now as she is back home with her beloved Kathy.
Being in Texas for the winter has its pluses, but we are isolated from our friends..sorry to miss the celebration of Betty’s life.
Love, Mary Kay & George
We still talks about our ski trip!
Debbie Miller says
Dear Bob and Jay,
This is Debbie Oldham Miller. So Sorry to hear about Betty. Pat and I pray for comfort for you and your son Jay. So glad I had a chat with Betty at The Leaf and Bean a year ago. Such a sweet faced lady and so pleasant and fun. I always remember you and Betty visiting with my folks, Marion and Al Oldham. They too have passed about 5 years ago. Bob, if would like to visit sometime. Pat and I will come see you. Our phone # 980-5149.
Mary Kay Bennett says
Thought about Betty this morning and sending prayers to all of you.
Her ‘ray of sunshine’ continues to shine on all of us.
I’m going to miss her.
Mary Kay
Cathy Aguilera says
Dear Bob,
This is Cathy Verzuh Holman Aguilera. I am Margaret Alice’s daughter. While doing some family history was looking up information regarding Sage Advertising and came across Betty’s obituary. I wish to convey my condolences to you and your family. (For many years I made “Henkel’s Frozen Salad” for Thanksgiving dinner.) Fondly, Cathy