Helen Montgomery, 84, passed away early Thursday, May 19, 2016 at Tioga Medical Center.

Helen was born on December 16, 1931, on the family farm in Elm Township, Bottineau County, rural Newburg, ND, to James W. and Hazel H. (Shurr) O’Connell. She graduated from Leeds, ND High School and attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, ND.

Helen married Robert John James Montgomery XIII, in the Congregational Church, Leeds, ND on June 9, 1951.

Bob’s job as a telephone technician, brought them to Tioga in 1952 during the first oil boom. Tioga has remained their home.

Helen worked various jobs in Tioga and the surrounding area, including the Bank of Tioga, Amerada Hess, Midwestern Savings and Loan, B & B Bowling Center and Vi’s Steakhouse.

Helen enjoyed attending auctions and buying and collecting antiques. She was an excellent seamstress sewing the majority of her daughter’s clothes as they grew up. She knitted many pairs of mittens, scarves and hats, personalized Christmas stockings, afghans and many other things, for family members and other friends and families. She crocheted, sewed and donated many lap robes for nursing homes, Veterans Homes and hospitals. Quilting became her next passion. She made quilts for all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also made and donated many quilts to organizations. Having lost a son to cancer, giving quilts to children and adults who have cancer was very important to her. The Ronald McDonald House and the Lisbon Veterans home being some of her favorite charities.

Helen was an avid UND Fighting Sioux Hockey fan and a Minnesota Twins Baseball fan.

Helen made the unselfish decision many years ago to donate her body to the UND School of Medicine, Grand Forks, ND. Because of this decision she will continue to contribute to the medical education of many individuals.

Helen is survived by her husband Bob of 65 years. Daughters, Vickie (Myron) Lee, Shelly (Paul) Hartsoch, Terrie (Gayle-deceased) Bingeman. Son, Dale (Morgan) Montgomery. Grandsons, Shayne (Ashley) Lee, Austin Lee. Scott Hartsoch, Jermey (Rainia) Weyrauch, Robert John James Montgomery XV and Matthew Montgomery. Grand daughters, Rechelle (Michael) Penticoff, Sara Salveson, Great grandsons, Keaten and Ryland Lee and Carson Weyrauch. Great granddaughters Breynn Lee, Charleigh Penticoff, and Trinity Kibler. She is also survived by several sisters and a brother, Marion, Agnes, Liz, Karan, Debbie and Dwight.

Helen was preceded in death by a son Robert John James Montgomery XIV “Bimbo” and daughter Beverly Jean Montgomery. Her parents, brothers, Joe and Eddie. Son in law Gayle Bingeman.