Ilo Jean Haywood Kailey was born August 31, 1921 to Guy T. and Ethel Drake Haywood in Forsyth Montana. Ilo went through the Forsyth school system and after graduation from high school in 1939, she entered nursing training on January 1940 at the Kahler Hospital School of Nursing which was affiliated with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota.
She graduated in June 1943 and became night supervisor of the care hospital in Rochester and held that position until she entered the University of Minnesota public health program in Minneapolis Minnesota.
Following her University schooling she married Vernon Kailey in 1944, who had just returned home after two and a half years overseas in World War II. They moved to Lincoln Nebraska where she became the director of nursing at the student health services at the University of Nebraska, and after a two-year Public Health nursing job in the Lincoln City Lancaster County Health Department.
Upon the graduation of her husband Vernon from the University of Nebraska they returned to Forsyth to be near Ilo’s aging parents, and in 1957 they moved to Miles City where she held a position as a traveling nurse for the State Department of Health. While serving in this job she started and supervised the first migrant health care clinics located from Sidney to Belfry Montana, including clinics up and down the Yellowstone River at Laurel, Billings, Hysham, Forsyth, Kinsey, and Glendive. While nursing in Miles City she served a term as president of the local Nurses Association, and a term on the Holy Rosary Hospital Advisory Board. For several years she was on the staff of the Western Institute Commission of the higher education for nurses headquartered in Bozeman, whose classes were held in various places in the state.
Ilo finished her nursing career as a retiree of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Miles City; her nursing services had spanned a total of 40 years.
Ilo loved her life with Vern and their family, and felt that her children were her greatest accomplishments, including the foster children she and Vern raised along the way. She is preceded in death by her parents, her only brother, Dr. Guy Haywood, her husband Vern, and her daughter Nancy. Surviving Ilo is her son Ty Kailey in New Hampshire, and Linda Sandvig in Western Montana. Ilo’s extended family of sons, and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have been very significant in her life and have given her a lifetime of encouragement and love.
Ilo passed away on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.
A memorial gathering celebrating Ilo’s life will occur next summer. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Donations and gifts in honor of Ilo may be made to the Miles Community College School of Nursing through the Endowment Fund.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday June 23, 2018
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
10:00 a.m.
Saturday June 23, 2018
Forsyth Cemetery
Forsyth, Montana 59327
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Denise Harvey says
To all of Ilo’s family,
What a wonderful lady!!! Her enthusiasm for life and witty sense of humor will be missed in our community but we are better for having known her.
What a joyous reunion she is having with her family! I am sure Nancy is excited to have Mom home again!
Denise Oberlander Harvey and Jay Harvey
Martha Crandall says
My sympathy
Becky Gergen says
I worked with Ilo at the Miles City VA. She was a very nice lady. Sympathy to her family.
Bill and Sharon Oftedal says
Ilo and Vern were some of Miles City’s finest–our hearts go out to you.
Erin L says
My Sympathy. She was a sweet lady.
Dean Holmes says
Ilo and Vern were such great citizens for the community of Miles City and eastern Montana. ROP. as you leave for rest in a better place, know you left all of us better off because you were here,
JIM & KAREN ELLIOT says
ILO, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. THANK YOU AND VERN FOR ALL THE GREAT ADVICE AND BACKING THAT YOU GAVE ME IN ALL THE YEARS BEFORE AND AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.
JIM & KAREN ELLIOT
Gracie Ann Waples Hill says
Special blessings to Ilo’s family….Vern Kailey and my father played football in high school together. Vern also was good to me as I attended Miles Community College. Ilo and Vern were some of Miles City’s finest and I am thankful to have known them.
Shannon & Bryan Holmen says
She always made us feel so loved. We will miss her also. Our prayers.
Jack Fleming says
Loved the way Ilo would tell you what was on her mind (good or bad) and then say “love you” and you would know it was the end of the conversation. She will be missed
Doug and Teri Zook says
She was a smart, kind, loving lady (and put up with all of usl in high school:). Ilo was loved by everyone and she thought everyone was wonderful too. What a blessing to this world. Love to Ty and all the family from your old friends.
Doug and Teri
Pam Rogge says
Prayers and condolences to Ilo’s family; she was a special lady and I always enjoyed my visits with her. Cherish the memories!
Karen & Jobie Morris says
Ilo was a delightful woman with a terrific sense of humor. I’ll always treasure the hugs and the laughter about Jobie and my most fashionable attire (overalls and a Junior Ranger vest). Seeing her was always a ray of sunshine in the day!
Ted Stein says
The Kailey’s were some of the finest people I met while I was at MCC. Ilo was one person that always could always bring a smile to my face when I would talk with her. My sympathy goes out to the whole Kailey family. She was a great lady.
Beth Ann Wiedeman says
Vern and Ilo were very important people in my life. There contribution to our community and to may of our lives cannot be measured. I know Ilo is happy in her reunion with Nancy and Vern; no more confusion and suffering here on earth. Prayers to the Kailey family.
Sandi and Jim Updyke says
We were just talking about a visit with her. So sorry we didn’t get there. Ilo was such a part of our lives. She will be greatly missed but I know she is visiting mom in a kitchen and they are laughing. God bless you all
Alyssa Shipp says
Oh what a joy Ilo was to have at work. My time around her was short but she never failed to brighten my day. She was always positive and cheerful. Definitely an amazing soul. She will be dearly missed! My thought and prayers go out to you in this time of grief!
Mary Ann Stockhill Liles & Jim Liles says
Dear Ty and family,
Our sympathy goes out to you for the loss of your mother. She was such a neat lady, strong willed and with a great sense of humor. She will be missed. We will keep you in our prayers. God Bless.
Jim & Mary Ann
Alison Boe Schwarzkopf says
Linda, Ty and Guy, I am so sorry for your loss! I wish I could make it back for her services but I no longer travel. Bob and I moved to Yakima earlier this year so I can get the medical treatment that I need. I would love to hear from you, Linda. Your Mom and Dad were very special people. They were always so warm and loving. My love to all of you and your families. Alison Boe Schwarzkopf.
T Krutzfeldt says
A natural born leader and gem of a gal!
Julie Krutzfeldt says
I got to know Ilo through my friendship with Nancy. I visited her often and was blessed to see her the day she passed away. Even in those final hours Ilo was in control and repeatedly expressed her love for the nurses care. Ilo was a strong, determined and dedicated woman and so very proud of her family. My deepest sympathy for your loss. I will miss Ilo. My love to all.
Mark Browning says
Sorry to hear the news of Ilo. The Kaileys were standard-bearers of what made Miles City a great place to live and get an education.
Jennifer Johnsgard says
I got to know Ilo when Vern was at HRECU and shared a room with my dad. She was so kind to my dad. My deepest sympathy to her family. May she rest in peace.
Lloyd & Colette (Pedder) Butcher says
So sorry to hear that Ilo has passed. What a wonderful long life she lived. We met the Kaileys when my parents, Colin & Mardell Pedder moved to Miles City and we’re neighbors with the Kaileys and the Holters. They were such great friends and when they eventually sold their homes they all moved to Eagles Manor and my Dad was once again neighbors of Ilo and Vern living just down the hall from on another. I am sure there was a joyous reunion when Ilo joined Vern, Nadine, Colin and Mardell in heaven. Cherish all your fond memories!!
Chuck and Luann Pluhar says
I feel very sad today reading of the passing of Ilo. Chuck and I have very fond memories of both her and Vern. We bought their cabin at Hell Creek in 1988. We still talk about the way it was and how they were so happy we could buy it. Our neighbor for years said, “Well Ilo would have said, …..! She is missed. God Bless.
Debra Moore says
What a wonderful lady! I enjoyed visiting with her so very much.
Renée Peterson says
I was sorry to read of Ilo’s passing. We became friends when she and mother were living at Eagles Manor. She and I enjoyed a few trips to Billings for doctor appointments. I always enjoyed visiting with her, and she always had interesting stories to tell. I will miss my visits with her at extended care. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
LInda & Richard Meidinger says
Sorry to see Ilo’s passing. She was always a kick to have around. Always enjoyed her smile and her laughs.
Our thoughts and prayers go out the her family. May she rest in peace.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Ilo was one of the most gracious and sweetest people I got to know at Holy Rosary Extended Care. I got to see her every day while visiting my mother and she always had a compliment or a little joke to tell. I knew she was getting close to the end, but she still had a nice word or an “I love you” to share with me. My sincerest sympathy to all her family & friends.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
We will miss our Ilo so much at HREC. I got to know her while visiting my mother every day and she always had something so sweet to say: a compliment, a little humor, a little love and much more. You were blessed if you knew her. My sincerest sympathy to all. A more gracious lady you would be hard pressed to find.
Dawn Rhoads says
Linda and families, sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. It was good to see you. We will have good memories of Ilo and she will always be in our hearts. From the Rhoads and our families.
Guy Haywood says
I have fond memories of a very caring person who gave to all of those around her.
Judy Cole says
Ilo and I have been friends since my high school days in Forsyth when Vern taught me and served as principal of FHS.
We renewed our friendship in the ’90s when my husband and I returned to live on the family ranch near Forsyth. Any trip to Miles City included a lively visit with Ilo. My condolences to family and friends who will feel a deep void with Ilo’s passing.
LaRae Koenig says
Ilo was very special to me. We shared many laughs together and even some tears. Linda, your mother loved you and she bragged about what an amazing teacher you are and how the kids in Helena are smart because of you. Her smile and sassy personality will be missed! Love and prayers sent your way.
Your Friend, LaRae
Kathy Davidson says
My Mother, Jean Davidson, nee Nelson, was friends with Ilo when they were both growing up in Forsyth. Mom and Ilo stayed in touch until my Mom passed away a few years ago. It was fun to listen to them talk about their childhoods.
Jeri Holter Lester says
I have started typing this at least ten times. Nothing I say seems to be right to tell Linda and Ty and their families just how much Ilo meant to me growing up and throughout my entire life. Ilo was a second mother to me. I remember wonderful family vacations they took me on…..most memorable of which were the Boulder and Yellowstone Park, (which I unfortunately threw up in the back seat of their car and Ilo has told that story countless times since). I remember her always calling us kids “dummers” with that little smirk on her face which always told me how much she really loved me. As my sister mentioned in her above post, we were talking about going to see Ilo all summer. We had actually planned to try to go this week, and I am so sorry that we didn’t get there in time. I love you Linda and please know i’m thinking about you. I will see you for sure at Ilo’s memorial service next summer. All my love, Jeri
Jo Ann Kemmis says
So sorry to hear of Ilo’s passing. She and Vern were wonderful friends to my parents. RIP dear Ilo.
Lana Rae (Ek) says
Ty and Linda, I was so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. I was out of the country when this happened so just found out today from Teri Zook. Ilo was a wonderful person and I really enjoyed our talks when I went to see my mom at HREC. We would sit for long periods and she told me lots of stories about her life. She was a jewel and will be greatly missed by us all.
Jack Hanson says
My sympathy Ty to you and your family.