Loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister-in-Law, Aunt, cousin, and Friend; Auriel N. (Bernier) Hiltabrand of East Helena passed away on August 5, 2017 surrounded by her family. She was born on March 21, 1939 to Arthur Richard Bernier and Minerva Rachel DeWitt Bernier. She married Herbert C. Hiltabrand on January 5, 1957. Auriel lived her entire life in Montana.
Auriel was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brothers, Arthur Bernier, John Thompson, and Gary Thompson.
She is survived by her daughters Linda Hiltabrand (Dan Martin) of East Helena, Laura Hiltabrand (Regina Davis) of Pensacola, Florida, and Louise Biffle (Chet) of Keizer, Oregon. Six Grandchildren Tina Kroll Hanley (Seth) of Helena, Jennifer Kroll Miller (Jason) of Great Falls, Kristopher Davis (Jenina) of Melbourne, Florida, Amanda Davis of Nashville, Tennessee, Crystal Bielenberg (Ryan) of The Dalles, Oregon, and David Biffle-Stevenson (Jarrod) of Wilsonville, Oregon and 16 great-grandchildren.
She attended grade school at Central School in Helena and later at the ‘One-room’ schoolhouse in York. She attended one year at Helena High School, then attended Business College, later getting her GED at MSU. After her husband’s death in 1997, she attended Career Training Institute in Helena to develop her computer skills. Her working life was varied, but her most valued job was being a homemaker during the years her three daughters were growing up; Auriel later took a job at Helena Housing Authority shortly after Herbert passed away. She retired in November 2006 – just one year earlier than her oldest daughter.
Auriel was active in Masonic life for many years; including serving on the board of Rainbow Assembly #21. She was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star, Lily of the Valley Chapter No. 4- Bozeman, later joining Mount Silcox Chapter No. 111 – Thompson Falls, Ideal Chapter No. 40 –Plains, Miriam Chapter No. 1 – Helena, and most recently Esther Chapter No. 3 – Townsend. She was also a member of Sapphira Temple No. 79, Daughters of the Nile.
One of Auriel’s greatest joys was attending Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile functions with her daughter Linda, Sister-in-Law Grace Hiltabrand and Granddaughters Tina and Jennifer. Linda and her daughters had the pleasure of living nearby Auriel for the last 20+ years of her life. Granddaughter Tina learned to cook due to Auriel’s special dietary needs. Her ten great-grandchildren in Montana lovingly referred to her as G-G.
Auriel enjoyed wintering in Florida with daughter Laura, Regina and their children. She had many adventures on those visits including trips to Disney World, afternoons at the beach and watching birds, particularly cardinals, in Laura’s backyard. Auriel left her stamp on the hearts of many Floridians.
Auriel’s four great-grandchildren in Oregon nicknamed her “Nana Montana”. Her Oregon family enjoyed several visits with Nana Montana and on her most recent visit to Oregon she taught her oldest great-grandson and his sisters how to make her famous sugar cookies.
Dialysis prolonged Auriel’s life for 3 ½ years thanks to the loving care of Dr. LaClair, the dialysis staff at St. Peters Hospital, and her special dialysis nurse Lisa Mott, who was also by her side at her passing.
Auriel had a love for music and her beautiful voice was enjoyed by her family on many road trips between Bozeman and Helena. She often expressed an interest in learning to play the piano and accomplished that – in a way – when she purchased a player piano.
All who have ever tasted Auriel’s sugar cookies will smile at the thought of those meticulously decorated cookies. Many people looked forward to these cookies, which she mailed to distant family members and delivered to local friends and family. The pleasure those cookies brought to the recipients was equaled by the joy Auriel had in baking them.
Auriel cared deeply for the humans and animals around her. She loved with a tender heart in a quiet way. She had a special love for her Shih Tzu Missy, she cared for many grand pets, and loved to see hummingbirds at her window. Never wanting to inconvenience anyone, Auriel had a gentle and generous spirit. She enjoyed serving on committees and was always willing to use her sewing and crocheting talents for a good cause. She crocheted hundreds of towel sets for family and also for fundraising bazaars over the years. One of her last wishes is that we be sure each of the family members pick a set of her recently completed towels.
The family is very thankful to the many people that loved and cared for Auriel. She will be missed in our lives but will always be in our hearts. Please see below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Auriel.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 am
Thursday August 10, 2017
Anderson Stevenosn Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Luncheon
Immediately following the service
Thursday August 10, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 am
Thursday August 10, 2017
Anderson Stevenosn Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Luncheon
Immediately following the service
Thursday August 10, 2017
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home Social Hall
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Freddi Haab-Fiedler says
Linda and Family –
We are so sorry to hear about your mom. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mike & Freddi
Nickie Eck says
Linda and family. My sympathy and prayers to you all. I’ll never forget talking your mom into making frosted brownies for a star function. She was a sweetheart!
bertha bernier says
Linda, Laura, and Louise, so sad to hear of your mother’s passing. She was so proud of you girls. We send our sympathy and prayers to you all.
Bertha, Cheryl, and Darcy Bernier
Jeanne Hiltabrand says
Sending my sympathy and prayers to all of you.
Jean Stokke says
So sorry to earn of your mother’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jean (cousin Eva Jean Porter)
Tom and Kathy Miller says
Linda and family,
We have so many memories of your Mom. She was a lovely, quiet, sweet lady who never complained nor said a bad word against anyone. Auriel was one who worked diligently on many OES projects and never wanted to be in the limelight. She will be missed by many people. Our prayers and love are with you during this really tough time.
Kathy and Tom Miller
Betty says
Laura, your mom was the sweetest lady; we will miss her! Our thoughts & love are with you & the family.
Betty DeVito & Gloria Deniz
Jen and Kris Davis says
We’re so sorry we couldn’t make it! Auriel was a wonderful grandmother who left us all too soon. Our thoughts are with the rest of the family, and we’re so happy so many of you could make the journey to comfort her in her last days. She is already sorely missed!
We love you all,
Kris, Jen, Francesco, and soon-to-be-born Connor
Diva Garlauskas says
Laura&Family
I missed her when she left Pensacola last time, now ….. I will miss her forever.
May the light of the Holly Spirit shine upon her soul in Paradise.
The Castleberry Family says
Laura, We are so very sorry for your family’s loss. She was such a sweet lady! Please know that y’all are in our prayers.
Lisa says
Auriel was such a wonderful friend. We would occasionally enjoy coffee at her kitchen table and listen to classic country music. Auriel helped me pick a pair of western boots online for my 50th birthday. I usually go for the used worn out look but Auriel encouraged me to get the cute girly pair with a heel. So when they arrived I dropped by to show her, she looked at me and asked but can you dance in them. I grabbed my cowgirl hat in my right hand and belt buckle in my left and proceeded to dance the fastest best two step to Dwight Y. “Guitars & Cadillacs” song on her radio. We both laughed so hard. I will always remember her sweet smile and big blue eyes. I plan to dance the soles off those boots. I miss you, God bless you Auriel.
Kelly Calnan says
Our deepest sympathies to Linda, Dan and all of Auriel’s family. Marty and I will fondly remember her warm smile and delicious sugar cookies at every holiday. She will be missed.
Marty & Kelly Calnan
Sue Thompson Kaufman says
So sorry for your loss. She was such a special lady. I know she will be missed by a lot folks. Take care and know she is still with you in spirit. Love you.
Michele says
RIP. Auntie , I’m sure going to miss you….
Don Wark says
Linda & Dan,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. May God keep her and bless her as she waits to see you again.
God bless, Don Wark
Kittie O'Leary LaFazia says
I want to send condolences from the Vernon “Red” O’Leary family. Dad was very close to the Hiltabrand brothers, Kern, Herb and George when they were all young. I definitely remember visiting your family when you girls were very young. I remember your Mom was always a very sweet and gracious lady. My you treasure and pass on the wonderful memories of her