Betty M. Lockey, age 100, of Helena

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Psalms 118:24

February 3, 2026, is the day which the Lord welcomed Betty to her eternal home.

The second of four children, Betty Marie Holmgren was born in Ogilvie, Minnesota, on November 28, 1925, to Alyce (Van Rhee) and John Edwin Holmgren.  After graduating from Ogilvie High School, Betty attended the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis.  In the fall of 1945, she left with friends for Seattle, stopping in Helena to visit her aunt and uncle, Harriet and Martin Moe.  Here she met and fell in love with Richard “Dick” Lockey.  They were married on May 11, 1946, and Helena has since been home for Betty.

During her 100 years, Betty was accomplished in both her professional and personal life.  She worked briefly for the Internal Revenue Service, then became Business Manager for the Montana Education Association, retiring in 1987 after thirty-seven years of dedicated employment.  Betty always strove for excellence, and as such, was cherished by her family, friends, fraternal family, and co-workers.

Betty was initiated into Mora Chapter No. 158, Order of the Eastern Star, on May 29, 1945, while her mother was Worthy Matron, and affiliated with Miriam Chapter No. 1 in Helena on September 19, 1951.  Her achievements during her 80 years of membership are lengthy and include Worthy Matron/Instructor/Advisor in Miriam Chapter, numerous committee appointments both in Miriam Chapter and Montana Grand Chapter, and Grand Warder in 1979-80.  She was elected as Associate Grand Conductress in 1987and served as Worthy Grand Matron with Worthy Grand Patron Tressler Allen during the 102^nd annual Montana Grand Chapter year (1990-1991), “It’s a Small World.”  She was appointed to the International Peace Garden Committee of General Grand Chapter during the 2009-2012 General Grand Chapter Triennium.  She worked for the good of the Order throughout her life.

Betty was initiated into Sapphira Temple, Daughters of the Nile, on March 20, 1976, serving in both appointed and elected offices, culminating as Queen in the 2000-2001 term.  She was an active member of P.E.O. since 1986, filling various offices, including one year as president.  She served on the board and later as Mother Advisor for Helena Assembly No. 7, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, and was awarded the Grand Cross of Colors.  Betty’s leadership was a guiding light and lifelong influence not only for the girls, but also for her work with Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and DeMolay for Boys.  Her many hobbies included both domestic and foreign travel (she was especially fond of cruises), bridge, handiwork, reading, and fishing, to name a few, and she loved to plan and host various get-togethers.  She was a member of St. Paul’s Methodist Church.

The most important part of Betty’s life was her family.  She and Dick celebrated 54 years of marriage before his death in 2000.  Her son Richard “Rich” and “daughter” Diane, her grandson Richard J. and his wife “grand-daughter” Misty, and great grandchildren Mystik Gabel, Rylan Gabel, and Richard J. “R.J.” Lockey, were her pride and joy.  Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband Dick, her parents Alyce and Edwin, her sisters Helen Eiss and Maryann Grace, and brother James Holmgren.  Her surviving family includes her brother-in-law Corky Grace and sister-in-law Marge Holmgren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Betty resided at the Masonic Home of Montana, assisted living facility, during her last 3½ years, where she became a favorite of both staff and other residents.  She passed peacefully at the Home on February 3^rd.  A celebration of her remarkable life will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Anderson/Stevenson/Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 North Montana Avenue, Helena, followed by a reception and internment at the Forestvale Cemetery.  Memorials may be sent to the Masonic Home of Montana or to Stillwater Hospice, both in Helena.

Betty ended her official duties as Worthy Grand Matron with this thought which will always remind us of her:

“The world is like a mirror, reflecting what you do, and if your face is smiling, it will smile right back at you.”

Service Schedule

Memorial Service

11:00 a.m.

Saturday February 21, 2026

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Reception

Following the service

Saturday February 21, 2026

Social Hall of Anderson Stevenson Wilke

3750 N Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

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Burial

Following the reception

Saturday February 21, 2026

Forestvale Cemetery

690 Forestvale Rd.

Helena, Montana 59602

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