KariLi Dailey

KariLi (Hebbelman) Dailey was born October 5, 1964, in Havre, Montana, the daughter of John and Gina (Taylor) Hebbelman. KariLi passed away on September 12, 2026.

She grew up on the family farm south of Zurich, where she developed a lifelong love for animals, especially horses. Her brother, Curt, joined the family in 1969. Growing up, KariLi spent a lot of time with her grandparents, who held a special place in her heart. She was active in 4-H and excelled in her horse projects, particularly showmanship. One of the highlights of her 4-H years was the opportunity to travel to Japan as part of an exchange program, beginning a love of travel and adventure that stayed with her throughout her life. She graduated from Chinook High School in 1983 and later attended Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, where she earned an associate degree in Veterinary Technology.

KariLi was never afraid of a little adventure. In her younger years, she raced Polaris snowmobiles and always loved escaping to the mountains. She also enjoyed traveling throughout her life, including trips back East, to Arizona, and to Hawaii.

KariLi married Pat Dailey on July 7, 1990. She loved farming alongside Pat and took great pride in the life they built together. Their son, Sean, was born January 19, 1991. KariLi cherished the time she spent teaching Sean to ride horses and supporting him at his athletic events. She also worked as a lab technician at Liberty Medical Center, where her meticulous nature and attention to detail served her well. Whether she was working at the lab or helping on the farm, KariLi was never afraid of hard work and could always be counted on to get things done.

Pat and KariLi enjoyed frequent weekend trips to their cabin in the Little Belt Mountains. KariLi loved animals of all kinds, whether she was caring for her horses, feeding the birds, or spending time with her dog, Loop. Loop may have had the best job of all, riding along as KariLi’s “passenger princess.”

You always knew where you stood with KariLi. She was meticulous, had a heart of gold, and was fiercely loyal.

She was overjoyed in 2024, when her grandson Emmett joined the family. From the time he was a baby, she cared for him two days a week, and as he grew, their days together grew into adventures of their own. They loved being outside, taking care of her three bum calves, watering the horses, and helping move vehicles during seeding and harvest. KariLi loved sharing the farm and the things she loved with Emmett, but more than anything, she simply loved being his grandma. She was incredibly proud of him, and the time they spent together created a special bond that meant the world to them both.

KariLi is survived by her husband, Pat; son, Sean and his wife, Laura, grandson Emmett; and her mother, Gina Molkjer.

She was preceded in death by her father, John Hebbelman; and brother Curtis Hebbelman. 

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 3rd at 2 p.m. at the CJI Schools Auditorium in Chester, MT with a reception following at the Tip Top Lounge.