THREE FORKS - Helen Lousie Bottomley Richey passed away May 17, 2000, at her home in Three Forks.

She was born to Ray and Julia (Golliher) Bottomley on June 16, 1926, in Rock Springs, Wyo. She was the eldest of four daughters, living in Wyoming until the family moved to Billings in 1945. Helen attended college at MSC in- Bozeman, majoring in architecture. She was a member. of Chi Omega Sorority.

Helen married Henry (Hank) Spomer on May 29, 1948, in Billings. They had four children, RJ, Brent, Dara Lynn and Nancy. The family moved to the Gallatin Valley in 1959 and settled in Belgrade. When her children were young, she was very active in their school system. The couple owned and operated a construction business along with several other interests until Hank passed away in 1973. Shortly afterwards, Helen moved to Bozeman and became a licensed Real Estate agentbroker. She was very successful in this field and was known to many in the Real Estate business as "Mother Helen". Helen was a member of the Montana Association of Realtors, Realtors Political Action Committee and served on the Legislative Affairs Committee and as a state director.

Helen married Lloyd Richey in 1978 and continued selling real estate until her retirement in 1992. She loved to play bridge and was an avid bowler. Recently, Helen kept herself busy with needlework, crocheting, knitting, reading and cooking. Her grandchildren especially liked eating at Grandma's house. Helen and Lloyd enjoyed camping, fishing and spending winters in Arizona. Helen was secretary-treasurer of the local chapter of the Gallatin Good Sams. She and Lloyd were very active in the organization, attending activities all over the country. They shared the State Wagon Master position for seven years.

Helen is survived by husband, Lloyd of Three Forks; sons, RJ. (Kaye) Spomer of Memphis, Tenn, and their children, Nick and Sasha; Brent (Jane) Spomer of Ft. Collins, Colo, and their daughters, Jessica and Alyssa; daughters, Dara Lynn (Lawry) Arnold of Belgrade and their sons, Brett, Brandon and Jared; Nancy (Jim) Wilson of Billings; three sisters, Ruth (Marvin) Duncan of Colorado, Raye (Bob) Elsberry of Colorado and Kaye Clark of Billings, Mont. She is also survived by Lloyd's four children, Ron, Sherry, Eileen and Donna and their families as well as seven great-grandchildren, Kolby and Markell Spomer, Ashlee and Jeremy Helstrom, Dee Monica and brother, and Austin Greene and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held 11a.m. Saturday at Dahl Funeral Chapel in Bozeman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the - American Heart Association, Gertrude Coffin, 908 , South Willson, Bozeman, MT 59715.