Gail Charlene (Mullennax) Hein

Gail Charlene Mullennax Hein entered into life eternal on the afternoon of Sunday, August 20th, 2023, with her children, several grandchildren and her pastor by her bedside in her home of 50 years.

Gail was born February 25, 1939, in Greybull, Wyo., only daughter and first of five children of Charles A. and Ava Sproul Mullennax. She was raised by her grandparents, William F. and Clara Vroman Sproul on a farm near Kane, Wyo., before moving with them to Montana. She attended elementary schools in Whitefish, Absarokee, Red Lodge, and Joliet, graduating in 1956 from Joliet High School. She met Keith Hein of Bridger on a blind date in 1956. Gail was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith as an adult at Trinity Lutheran Church, Billings, where she and Keith were married in 1958. Their union of 37 years was blessed with four children, Bruce, Gregg, Dwayne, and Bethanie. Aside from seven years in St. Paul, Minn., where Keith was employed by Farmers Union Central Exchange, the family lived in Billings.

Gail worked for Glenn King Insurance Agency, 1956-1959. She was later employed as parish secretary at Mount Olive Lutheran Church from 1973-1993. During those years, she earned an Associate of Arts degree from Montana State University Billings. She joined her husband in the family business, ABCO Supply, Inc., and remained active there until the company was sold in 2009. She continued working as a freelance writer. Her family and friends were always her first love and top priority in life along with her church. She was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church.

Gail’s interest in travel began when she was 5 years old, watching passenger trains passing through Kane. The little farm girl would eventually visit 31 countries on four continents, including 25 trips to Europe, several countries in Africa, and numerous cities in China and Mexico.

She is predeceased by her infant brother Gary; parents Charles and Ava Mullennax; husband Keith in 1995; and son Bruce in 2005. She is survived by son Gregg (DeAnn) of Billings; son Dwayne (Morgan Benjamin) of New York City; daughter Bethanie Murray of Billings; daughter-in-law Cynthia Hein of Billings; brothers Earl (Diane) Mullennax of Salt Lake City; Thales (Vivian) Mullennax of Conrad; and Jay Mullennax (Gloria) of Fort Shaw; 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, at Christ the King, 759 Newman Lane. Services will be streamed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAWmcTMyLAp7zWvENUAhl7Q .

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church, Billings.