Betty Lee Babcock

Betty Lee Babcock (March 11, 1922 – August 4, 2013) was an American businesswoman, politician, and the wife of the Governor of Montana Tim M. Babcock. She served as the First Lady of Montana from 1962 to 1969 and as a member of Montana House of Representatives from 1975 to 1977.

Born in Aplington, Iowa, Betty Lee moved to Montana at a young age. Lee went to Dawson Community College. On September 21, 1941, she married Tim M. Babcock who joined her father's trucking business which later became: Babcock & Lee. She managed a hotel, restaurant, and convention center. In 1962, Tim Babcock became governor upon the death of Governor Donald Nutter. Babcock served in the Montana Constitutional Convention of 1972 and then in 1975 served in the Montana House of Representatives as a Republican. In 1978, Babcock and her husband wrote: 'Challenges: Above & Beyond.'

Babcock died in Helena, Montana on August 4, 2013 at the age of 91. Governor Steve Bullock ordered all U.S. and state flags in Montana to fly at half staff until August 8 in Mrs. Babcock's memory.