Hertha Vivian Bilyeu
June 19, 1910 - April 18, 2005
Obituary
Hertha V. Torno Bilyeu
June 19, 1910 – April 18, 2005
Hertha was born in Upham, North Dakota to Louis and Christiana Pietz Torno, German immigrants from Odessa, Russia. She was the sixth child of 10 children who grew up on a wheat and live stock farm starting life in a sod house on the northern prairies of North Dakota. The family moved off the farm and into the city of Minot where Hertha worked at Trinity Hospital until 1939 when she and a girlfriend wanted to go out west to visit Hertha’s brother in California. They got on the ”Empire Builder” train one cold winter night with only ticket fare and $10.00 in her pocket, her girlfriend with $25.00, a reference letter from the hospital and one from the Pastor of her church.
After arriving in Seattle, Hertha and her girlfriend decided to stay in Seattle, get jobs and enjoy life. She got jobs at the Cabrini and General Hospitals on Capitol Hill and on a blind date on December 5, 1941 she met Leo F. Bilyeu. They saw each other off and on for a few months before Leo was sent to Kodiak, Alaska for two years to work on a defense project for the World War II effort. They corresponded weekly and on Leo’s return on March 10, 1943 he proposed and on March 18th they were married they were married for 50 years. Then five months later Leo was drafted and was off to Europe for three years.
Hertha moved back to her parents home in Minot where she had her first child Ronald Bilyeu who died in 1996. When Leo returned from the service they moved back to West Seattle where they lived for 20 years and had two more children Lancing Bilyeu and Karen Bilyeu Kelly. In 1966 they moved to Des Moines and in 1973 moved to Federal Way, where Monday morning April 18th at 10:30 AM she died peacefully in her own bed in her home filled with the love and memories of her family, friends and her Lord.
Hertha and Leo who died in 1993 had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Hertha was brought up in the Christian faith, she received Christ at her Mother’s knee as she often said and continually grew in the Lord, being filled with the Holy Spirit, her joy was ministering to children and telling others the good news of Jesus Christ, John 3:16.
Hertha could be described as loving, gracious and merciful.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 7, 2005 at 2:00 PM at
Bethel Christian Center, 414 SW 312th Street in Federal Way.
253-839-2486
www.bethel-christian-center.org
Memorial donations may be made to:
The Group Health Community Foundation
1730 Minor Ave., Suite 1500
Seattle, WA 98101
To know Hertha is to know God’s love. She knew how to share it and to share His word with others. I praise God for such a wonderful example of a godly Christian woman. She will be greatly missed.
“Grandma” Bilyeau welcomed every person she met to the faith and knowledge of the One and Only Lord Jesus Christ..her passion and quest…Her home was dedicated to ministry,prayer and service and so was her life..she never gave up on anyone…even me in the most difficult moments of my continuing journey…she always pointed me personally in the same direction…though at times I thought I couldnt get there… she was confident that the Lord was doing and still is a specific work in my life…what I remember and love about her most was her incredible hospitality …the teas, cookies,dinners,the cup of water, her friendship…those amazing stories….I will never forget when I brought my son Ian over and how she let him get into everything! My goodness what a time we had!…she really liked Ians moms handknitted scarfs and was pleased to share them with her loved ones….. and reminded me constantly of the miracle of salvation for her in ernst…Hertha and her Son Lance always had time to listen, to love,and pray and their legacy ….their commitment…. their partnership… their sincerity… in faith, hope and love, remains as a beacon and a standard for many of us in this community…her life was one of constant prayer, she was genuine,gentle,kindhearted, strong in faith when there was trouble, and loved it when you just dropped in…I will miss you greatly, and know how happy you are to be finally home with your Savior,Lord,all the saints and heavenly hosts…truly your life was one of the most precious songs ever written…
Thank You,
Paul Benjamin Bruce
To Lanny; Karen&family; & Ronnie’s family:
Our sincerest sympathy goes out to you over the death of Hertha. Knowing she has eternal life is the ultimate comfort in dealing with your loss, but I know it still doesn’t mean you won’t miss her in your life. May your memories of the many years of good times with your mom/grandma bring you additional comfort and keep her close to you. I particularly remember how graciously Tom and I were treated and entertained by both Hertha and Leo and Lanny! when we actually made it to the Seattle area the year before Leo’s death. We heard alot of stories and shared many laughts. When I admired one of Hertha’s beautiful knick knacks, she was insistent I take it home as a momento of our visit, and then decided I needed to pick out something to bring home to mom, Gayle & Dale’s wife, too! The plate I chose remains in our curio cabinet as a reminder of that special time we spent with Hertha, Leo & Lanny.
I always found Hertha to be a loving Godly christian woman. I have always appreciated her and her son Lance’s love for our Lord. The were always an encouragement to those around them. Heaven is a sweeter place now.
What a sweetie she was. Thank you for sharing her with us.
The Cariotos
Lance,
We are so sorry for the loss of your mother. I pray for God comfort at this time, and for your memory to flood with all the wonderful times you and your mom shared. May her presence with God bring you peace.
Love,
Jerry and Jann Celski
Hertha was a part of my life, my whole life. I have so many good memories of her and will charish them all.
I would hope to have as much love to give in my life time as she did.
My best memories are when I was a little girl and would get to spend the night. She always made me feel special.
Lanny and Karen, I’m happy to be a part of your family and I share your loss.
Love you,
Herthas’ little Kimmy Ann
Lance, Karen and family,
You know how special your mom was to me. The Lord will bring you peace because that is one of the things He does best. You know we are always here for you. You have wonderful memories and I know you will cherish those and they will only make your life richer as you continue on.
Love,
Penny
My brothers and I were very happy to be able to ride our Harley’s to Seattle for Aunt Hertha’s 93rd birthday. I will always remember her as she was riding on the back of my Harley and enjoying every minute. I smile when I thing of her reuniting with my Mother, Lola, in Heaven. She said she would see all of us again – if not on this earth then in Heaven. Aunt Hertha enjoy your reward – you certainly deserve it.
Hertha was always such a special person to our Mom, Lola her little sister. It was very special for us to vist Hertha on her birthday and give us the opportunity to share special memories with her and her family. Those memories will last forever. I’m sure Aunt Hertha is telling Mom all about her ‘Special’ Birthday as they all meet in Heaven.
Hertha was a wonderful lady. I will miss her smiling contenance and the good example she alway set. What a lovely son he has in you, Lance.
God Bless you and your dear family at this time and let us rejoice as
Hertha is doing right at this time!
Lance,
Your mom was a very very special woman who loved her Lord and those around her. She radiated jesus Christ in all that she said and did. Now she leaves you and Karen as her legacy to this world. I know you will carry on the many fine qualities that she had. May the Lord help you and Karen with your grief. In Him, Steve Chittenden
Lance,
Your mom was a very very special woman who loved her Lord and those around her. She radiated jesus Christ in all that she said and did. Now she leaves you and Karen as her legacy to this world. I know you will carry on the many fine qualities that she had. May the Lord help you and Karen with your grief. In Him, Steve Chittenden
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Hertha was a very special aunt and friend. She will never be forgotten.
Lance: What a super lady your Mom was. Some people you meet and forget. Some people you meet and remember. And a very few people you meet and they significantly impact your life. You Mom was certainly that kind of person for me, and I am sure she was a positive influence on everyone she met — certainly with everyone with whom she spent any time at all. I feel blessed for having known your Mom, honored to know she might have thought of me as a friend, and I know I speak for all who knew her when I say we will all miss her very much. This world is a little less joyful a place to be, with her gone, but I know that heaven is rejoicing at her arrival!! God Bless You Lance for having been such a great son, and for having cared so well for your Mom when she needed you most. You have my deepest condolences, and my prayers that God will help you through this very difficult time.
As Hertha’s physician for a couple of the last years of her life, I was privileged to know her as a sprightly, loving and interested person who became much more than simply another patient. Her faith permeated everything she said and did, and her courage in the face of the discouraging challenges of aging, her refusal to give up living until her time had come, inspired me to renewed courage myself. I will miss her, and be glad to see her when my time comes.
Lance and Karen, What a great woman. I will always have fond memeries of Hertha and of you. For there was never a time that we meet that she wasn’t shareing her faith or her love of the Lord. Patricia Turner