Nancy L. Hilyen, age 90 of Helena

Nancy L. Hilyen, 90, died of natural causes Friday, May 16, 2025.

Nancy was born January 31, 1935 in Los Angeles, California to James Marcel “Bill” Owens and Rosemary Edith Price Owens. On June 26, 1955 she married James Anthony Hilyen in Pueblo, Colorado. They raised Shorthorn cattle and three girls on the Rocky Ridge Ranch near Castle Rock, Colorado. In 1973 the family and cattle moved to Round Butte, Montana.

Nancy worked for several years at the Mission Valley Senior Citizens Center until her retirement. Upon retirement, she moved to East Helena, Montana to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Her husband Jim, parents Bill and Edith and special aunt Colonel B.E. Owens preceded her in death.

Nancy is survived by her dog Daisy, brother Donald L. Owens, several cousins and her three daughters and their families. Cynthia and David Myles and their sons and daughter-in-laws James and Sarena, Daniel and Kami and Samuel; Susan and Dan DelPino and their daughters Christina and Sara; and Jennifer and Todd Wiedbusch and their daughters and son-in laws, Allison and Antone, and Katie and Kris. She is also survived by her 10 great-grandchildren: Cassandra, Dominic, Hayley, Luke, Marie, Maximus, Nicholas, Rachel, Simon and Thea.

A huge thank you to Headwater’s Hospice and Edgewood Assisted Living for the care you gave to us and our mom, grandma and great-grandma.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, May 24 at 2:00 p.m. in the reception center of Anderson Stevenson Wilke & Retz. Nancy has been cremated and will be interred with her husband Jim later this summer.

Memorials may be made to the Beaverhead Animal Center in Dillon, Montana, RezQ Dogs in Havre, Montana or an organization of your choice in lieu of flowers.