Dolores (Dee) Estella Riley passed away at home on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, of natural causes. Dee was born to Edward Jackson Gilmore and Hollis Adele (Cathcart) Gilmore in Greybull, Wyoming on November 1, 1946. She grew up in Basin, Wyoming, and graduated from Basin High School in 1965.
Dee married her high school sweetheart, Orville Riley, on July 31, 1965. They moved to Omaha, Nebraska that same year, and Dee worked as a secretary for an insurance company in Omaha, where she utilized her detail-oriented business skills. In 1966, she and Orv moved to Billings, Montana, where they lived for fourteen years. While in Billings, she gave birth to two daughters. She believed her highest calling was to be a loyal, loving wife and mother. She fulfilled her calling and loved all her family dearly.
In the summer of 1980, Dee and her family moved to Townsend, Montana, where she lived the rest of her life. She loved the mountains of Montana, camping with her family, taking care of the household, and tending her beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens. She enjoyed crocheting and making many kinds of specialty crafts. For several years, she sold her Craft Dee Company crafts in local stores, at the Broadwater County Museum, at craft shows, and at Mule Days in Bishop, California. She was also known for making handmade cards for family, friends, and every member of Faith Baptist Church in Townsend, for birthdays, anniversaries, and all occasions.
Most of all, Dee loved her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. She accepted Christ as her Saviour when she was a little girl and grew to know and love Him more throughout the years. She blessed people in her life by faithfully praying for them. Through every joy, pain, and struggle, she sought the Lord for wisdom, strength, and guidance.
Dee is survived by her husband, Orville Riley; her sister, Darlene Matthews; her daughters and their husbands, Gina and Rand Albiston and Ginger and Anuj Manandhar; eight grandchildren; and twelve great-grandchildren.
A Funeral Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Faith Baptist Church in Townsend. A Reception will follow the service at the church. Burial will be held at Deep Creek Cemetery in Townsend.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday April 22, 2023
Faith Baptist Church
5 Jack Farm Rd.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the service
Saturday April 22, 2023
Faith Baptist Church
5 Jack Farm Rd.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the reception
Saturday April 22, 2023
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 589644
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday April 22, 2023
Faith Baptist Church
5 Jack Farm Rd.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Reception
Following the service
Saturday April 22, 2023
Faith Baptist Church
5 Jack Farm Rd.
Townsend, Montana 59644
Burial
Following the reception
Saturday April 22, 2023
Deep Creek Cemetery
Townsend, Montana 589644
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Randal and Bonnie. Halvorson says
So glad we met miss dee
She was such a blessing to bonnie and me
Praying for the family
Lorrie Vennes says
Orville and family,
Sending you our thoughts and prayers. Dee was a wonderful lady. She always had a smile for those she met.
Our sympathy,
Gail and Lorrie Vennes
Walter Riley says
Orville and family. So sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers go to you at this time.
Jan Brown Michael says
Dee was a very treasured friend. We met when I was thirteen and newly moved to Basin. She was always fun and caring. We have written to each other for years. I will miss her words of faith and encouragement! Prayers for her and her family. We were all blessed to have her in our lives.
Anna Casagranda says
Orville and family sending prayers for your loss I am thinking of your family sorry for your loss may God bless your family
Gail M Spatz says
So sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed seeing her and Orville come into the restaurant. She was a very nice lady and will be missed. M
y prayers and thoughts are with you and family.
Trudie says
She is in the presence of the Lord! I will miss her prayers. She always wanted me to let her know when I went out of town for work and when I returned back home. She let me know she was praying for me, what a blessing that was.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Orv and your family.
Jim Foster says
Orville, I am so sorry to read of the loss of your precious wife, Dolores. I never got to meet her, but I know you. My prayers are with you for comfort. Through your great faith you where she is, in Heaven with Christ.
Ralph&Elaine Gardner says
Orville and family, we are missing Dee so very much! She was a faithful friend, sister in the Lord, and prayer partner with us. When we shared a need with her asking for prayer, we KNOW she prayed. Her handmaid cards and generosity where such an example and blessing. We look forward to being with Jesus, and Dee in heaven someday. 💙❤️
Larry Robinson says
Dolores, May your religious beliefs help you in the transition. I liked having you as my cousin and always enjoyed our visits there in Montana, which was always COLD (even in Summer) for us bods coming from the subtropics where Winter is when the temperature drops to 68 degrees F.
All my Love,
Larry