Florence Rosite Hiltz loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend passed away December 19, 2010 in Clancy, MT.
Florence was born January 21, 1925, to Alta and Shirl Tanner and spent her childhood with her seven siblings on a Homestead in Ridge, MT. At the age of 23 Florence married Raymond Hiltz in Helena, MT. From this union Barbara, Raelene, Daniel and Danell joined with Florence’s other children William, Tommy and Mary and were raised in the Anaconda area. The family then moved to Clancy in 1968.
Florence achieved her LPN license in 1972. She worked in the Clancy and Helena area for many years before moving to Texas to be with her daughter Danell. They later moved to Oregon. Florence moved back to Clancy in 2009 to be with her daughter Raelene, and her family and to reunite with old friends.
Florence was always willing to lend a helping hand, and enjoyed her time volunteering at the Food Bank in Arizona. She also enjoyed dancing, cooking, camping, traveling, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing cards and just spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include children Barbara (Gregg) Personette of Newport, OR; Raelene (Tim) Kemner of Clancy, MT; Daniel (Mary) Hiltz of Missoula, MT and Danell Hiltz of Medford, OR; 14 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 3 great great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Her parents, a sister, six brothers, two daughters, one son, and three grandchildren preceded her in death.
The George Families became a big part of her life after moving back to Clancy. She was loved by all.
A memorial service will be held at Retz Funeral Home Chapel on December 28, 2010 at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow at the American Legion Post #2, 3095 Villard Ave. (corner of Custer and Villard Ave.). To offer condolences to the family or to share a memory of Florence, please visit www.retzfuneralhome.com.
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Leo & Cindi George says
Raelene, Tim and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss and we are very grateful for our time with Florence and getting to know her. She had a wonderful sense of humor and that bright sparkle in her eyes touched us all. We are especially thankful for being able to share Thanksgiving with her. We have many memories that will be cherished forever. Please know that she is always near in Spirit. You are all in our prayers.
Jeremy & Kim Wollitz says
Dear Raylene,Tim & Family,
My heart goes out to you & all of the Family. I know how dear she was to your Family. What a Great Lady to know! I am so happy you brought her to our home & spent some time; just like one of the Girls! She really knew how to put a Big Smile on anyone’s face…& those are the things I will always remember. As far as you Raylene, you always have been a Wonderful Daughter & always will be. Love, Jeremy, Kim & Boys
Becky & Jerry George says
Raelene, Tim, Tyrone, Jesse & Kayla, We are so sorry for your loss. Florence was such a fun loving wonderful person and we loved having been able to spend time with her. She always came up with such whimsical comments and we’ll never forget sitting around the campfire, listening to Bobby’s music with her! 🙂 She will be missed and I know she’ll be watching over all of you!
Loving daugher - Danell says
Thank you brother for reading my memoirs.
Like the Irish Proverb, “Mothers and Fathers hold their children’s hands for just a while…and their hearts forever” she loved her children dearly.
My sister said she was a carpenter, true. She was also inventive. On a limited income, she purchased run down trailers and was forever crawling under one to save expense. These allowed her have a few luxuries, like trips with loved ones. She made lemonade from lemons!
She was warm, funny, stubborn, tenacious, difficult, erratic, loving, gregarious, courageous, timid and so much more. She was the epitome of the human spirit.
She and I lived off and on for years and in the end she came to live with me for more than a year before desiring her autonomy again – the will for independence never left her! When Alzheimer’s took her she went to live in a nursing home. There she was wrapped in the warmth and love of my sister and my sister’s friends. How blessed she was!
She was like a shooting star – burned out too quickly leaving a trail of dust in its wake but oh, what beauty lie beneath the dull blaze of a once fiery glow. May her memory burn bright in the hearts of those who knew and loved her best for “To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.” May she be in Heaven forty years before the devil knows she is dead!
Sue Furubotten says
We met Flo when she moved to Oregon to live with Danell. She was a very sweet lady and had such a cute sparkle in her eyes. She use to come visit with Danell on the weekends. We enjoyed sitting on my patio and talking. One night she came over for dinner and had the cutest hat on and looked like a little doll. She loved that hat!
She loved her scooter that Danell got her and use to go all around Jacksonville checking out the town.
She will be missed by her family and her friends. May she rest in peace.
Sue and Jim
Dianne Baker says
I met Flo one afternoon when our security staff called saying there was a woman looking for Danell and he did not know who Danell was because she was new on staff. Flo was fiesty and upset and Harry was overwhelmed (LOL). Flo told me she lost directions to Danell’s house so she came here to find Danell.
I was tickled because she was little and fiesty and pretty and poor old Harry was beside himself because she wasn’t leaving!
Frank & Bonnie Parker says
I met Flo in AZ after losing my wife & mother. She brought smiles and new beginnings to us. They traveled together, she was fearless, enjoyed new places and people. I have only had the pleasure of meeting one of her daughters, Danell, who is still to this day, a wonderful friend to my dad, though, he hesitates about the dogs. Thanks Flo for all the wonderful memories. Bonnie
Linda Bush says
Flo would come over and we would visit and enjoy having a cup of tea. Always ejoyed visiting with her. Rest in peace Flo. Linda
ellee says
I have fond memories of Mrs. Hiltz from her time staying in Jacksonville with Danell. I could never beat her at gin rummy! And we always had a good time at the Back Porch Barbecue when Granma Hiltz was with us. Watching her travel by motorized sciiter was interesting, too! She is missed here in Jacksonville by many friends.
best, ellee