Hilda Barbara Bierlein, age 96 years of Reese, died early Thursday morning, October 30, 2014 at her residence. She was born July 7, 1918 in Denmark Township, Tuscola County, daughter of the late John L. and Mathilda (Schmidt) Hecht. On February 2, 1941 she was married to Clarence M. Bierlein in Richville. He predeceased her March 26, 1992. Hilda was a homemaker, marital partner and business partner with her husband Clarence in operating the family farm in Blumfield Township, Saginaw County. Hilda continued active management of the farm after Clarence’s death. She was active in the Farm Bureau. She was a life member of the St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Richville and sang in the church choir. She was also a charter member of the Mary Martha Guild, a member of the Lutheran Missionary League and the Bible Study Class. Hilda donated her time, talent and effort volunteering at the Lutheran Home in Frankenmuth, Bethesda in Saginaw, and delivering her home cooked meals before “Meals on Wheels” programs existed. As a musician, she played multiple instruments, sang, yodeled, and danced with the local square dance club.

Surviving are her four daughters and their spouses; Marilyn and Larry Beyersdorf of Hemlock; Bonnie and Jim Weber of Dundee; Nancy and Eriks Jansons of Plainwell and Angelyn and Tim Watt of Waltz, son in law, Ben ( Sue) DuRussel of Munger; fifteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws, Herb Schmidt, Charles Buchinger and his wife Hilda, Lorna Koeppendoerfer, Loretta Bierlein, Ruben Bierlein and his wife Gertrude, and Arlene Bierlein. In addition to her parents and husband Clarence, Hilda was predeceased by her daughter, Sally DuRussel, two sisters, Esther Stange and Gladys Bierlein and her brother, Wilmar Hecht and eleven brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2014 from the St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Richville. Reverend Wesley Gillaspie and Reverend Rob Gadeken will both officiate with committal services to follow in the St. Michael’s Lutheran Cemetery. Hilda’s family will receive friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 9940 Saginaw St. in Reese on Tuesday from 2-7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the services. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Richville.

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