Celebrating the Life of Bessie Charlotte Hillstead

1. Arlo Johnson: We have come together today (September 12,1998) to celebrate the long and fruitful life of Bessie Charlotte Hillstead who passed away on Monday, September 7th, 1998 in her 93rd year of life. Today, reflect with us, as we, her family share this CELEBRATION OF THANKS for the life that Mom Hillstead lived and shared with us.

There are three components that will make up our service today ...
1. Memories of Mom will be shared
2. Meditations of Mom's favorite Bible Passage will be shared
3. Mom's Meeting with her Maker contemplated
During this time we will laugh and cry, and that is alright! But just remember, if you cry, you are not crying for Mom, you will be crying for yourself, and the impact of loss because of the passing of a very special lady!

2. Prayer and Opening Hymn ... "In the Garden."

3. Memories ... we remember many things about Mom, allow me to mention just a few. I am sure that every family member remembers eating her freshly baked buns! We all remember being in her clean, clean house, mobile home, or apartment! Then there was the ring of laughter in her place of residence. She, like many prairie pioneers knew poverty, but she was one who was able to make the most of the little she had. Without doubt she was a loving, and fun person.

Glenna and I received many letters from her over the years of our lives, but among those letters there were two that were specially addressed to me ... One was written by her in 1951 shortly after Glenna and I were engaged to be married, welcoming me into the Hillstead family. A second letter was written to me in 1989, and in it she asked me if I would take this service today. After listing a number of things that she wanted included in the service, she said, "But this might not happen for another ten years." Mom was quite accurate in her calculations, and today we are seeking to carry out her requests for this occasion.

4. Randy and Cheryl Johnson sing: "Amazing Grace."

5. Eulogy written and read by Harold Hillestad: Many thoughts went through my mind as I sat down to prepare this eulogy of my Mother for the service today. So many in fact that I realized it would be impossible to relate them all. The thoughts and memories which I share with you today are only a few that linger, and the history of events in mother's life which I will attempt to relate are not a complete recollection or record, but just some of the memorable and important ones.

Mother began her journey through life over 92 years ago. It was a journey that was filled with many experiences, both joyful and difficult ones. And regardless of the emotion of each experience, she relied on her strong, unwavering, Christian faith to sustain and guide her and accepted all of life's challenges with a positive, loving attitude. Mother maintained this attitude to the end and died peacefully Monday afternoon.

To go back to the beginning, Mother was born on April 30th, 1906 in Orrock, Minnesota, the second child of Harold and Rena Torkelson. About 1908 she moved with her parents, brother Morris who passed away in 1933 at the age of twenty eight, and sister Hazel to a homestead near Alkabo, North Dakota. Alkabo is situated in the extreme northwest corner of North Dakota some seven or eight miles from Westby, Montana.

Little is remembered of the time spent here except her sister Agnes was born in Alkabo. It is believed that about 1911, when Mother was five years old, the family moved to their farm north east of what is now Beaubier where they were to live for many years and where Mother spent her formative years. It was here that her sisters Ruth, Marie and Mabel were born.
Beaubier actually did not come into existence until 1926, after the railroad was built. Tribune was then the place where settlers got their mail, bought their supplies and sold their produce. It served a large rural area with the amenities and services for the ever growing community. Mother spoke fondly of the times that she would accompany the family to Tribune for special occasions--it was an important and memorable occasion to venture off the farm and travel by horse and wagon to Tribune. Memories of this period acually became more vivid and fondly recalled as she grew older.

In Mother's formative years her life evolved mainly around home and particularly Velhaven School which was opened for classes in 1915. Mother was nine years old then and could only converse in Norwegian, the language spoken at home, as it was in many of the settlers of Norwegian ancestry. When she started to school then it was necessary to learn a new language in addition to her other studies. Mother often recalled many of the experiences and events which took place at Velhaven. She also had many fond memories of teachers and fellow students which she related to us. Perhaps the ones she found most amusing were memories associated with learning English, and her early habit of mixing Norwegian words with English in her first year or two at school. She enjoyed relating and sharing these memories with us especially in her last years.

Although not having spoken Norwegian for many years, she was able to recite the alphabet and say grace in Norwegian less than two years ago and would translate English words into Norwegian when asked--an exercise she always enjoyed doing. One could sense the pride she felt in being able to demonstrate her ability in speaking Norwegian. Mother finished her formal education at Canora, Saskatchewan where she completed her grade eight. This was a considerable feat. It was very difficult to attain an education in those days keeping in mind that it was necessary to move away from home and be separated from her family and move temporarily to a place she was not acquainted with. It was an accomplishment of which she was proud. She was inspired and encouraged by Bessie Turnbull, one of the teachers who taught her at Velhaven, to continue her education at Canora.

Marriage to Dad was the most important event in her life. This occurred on November 18th, 1925 and lasted almost 42 years ending in January, 1967 when Dad passed away. I was first born in the family of seven, followed by Roy, Glenna, Ken who passed away in 1993, Marion, Eunice and Morris.

In 1927, at the age of twenty one, she suffered an injury which would affect her and challenge her stamina the rest of her life. This occurred during a horse and buggy runaway shortly after I was born. With the team of horses out of control, Mother jumped from the buggy and in the process fractured her ankle. The ankle did not heal properly and left Mother with a permanent limp often causing much discomfort.

I often think how difficult it must have been for Mother and Dad to have begun life together in the late twenties and to have endured the tough and trying times of the dirty thirties and supporting a family which Dad did by working as a section hand for the CPR in several communities.

In later years they settled in Midale where Mother worked in the local hospital as a cook, an experience which she enjoyed until her retirement at age 65. She maintained contact with several of her fellow workers and other Midale friends for many years following her move to Regina where she resided since 1971.

Mother was one of the first residents at The Horizon, a high rise senior citizen's home, moving there in 1976 and residing there until ill health necessitated her move to Parkside Extendicare Home on December 28th, 1993. Mother enjoyed the time she lived at the Horizon. She made many friends there and enjoyed the fellowship of the residents and participated in many of the social acitivies that were held there. It was to be her home for seventeen years.

Like most people, Mother went through difficult periods. She felt great sadness at the passing of loved ones which left a void in her life that was never replaced. Her strong faith and positive attitude sustained her when dealing with personal loss and helped her continue life's journey.
Family was always first and foremost in Mother's life, beginning with the family into which she was born. She remained close to her sisters and was always concerned about each of them and their families. Getting together with them and other relatives was always special. She was particularly proud of her own family. While she was a very modest person, she took delight in telling others about her rather large family. She took particular delight in the fact that she was the grandmother of twenty four and ultimately had forty nine great grandchildren. With memory fading, she enjoyed hearing about the arrival of her five great great grandchildren. Unknown to her, she was blessed with a sixth great great grandchild two days before she passed away. Mother felt she was especially blessed to have so many descendents and never lost an opportunity to express her joy and love for each. She also felt a real love and kinship for each one that joined our families through marriage over the years. Her extended family were special to her and she enjoyed the many relationships she had with each.

As we look back, we recognize and appreciate the legacy she has left us by the way she lived her life. Her kindness, thoughtfulness and caring will always be an inspiration for us. She spoke well of everyone and extended her hand of friendship to all she met. She considered each acquaintance a friend. She particularly displayed her friendly and caring nature during her tenure at Parkside. She made a point to reach out to residents and staff alike in a friendly manner with a kind word, a touch or a smile. Mother enjoyed her life at Parkside and the association with her fellow residents and particularly the many friendships with the people that cared for her. She was always anxious to get back to the environment at Parkside when she was away. When one of us would take her to our homes or to Weyburn and Yellow Grass to see her sisters, we were always reminded when it was time to go home to Parkside. This usually started by Mother looking at her watch which she would do often just in case we didn't notice. If we didn't pay attention to the signal she was sending, she would find it necessary to tell us bluntly that she wanted to go home.

Friends and relatives enhanced Mother's life immensely by their visits to see her. She enjoyed the times she was to share with all those who came to see and spend time with her. These were special to her. Unable to attend Southside Assembly as she was used to these last years, she was particularly grateful for the visits from Murray and Alita Lincoln and other friends from the congregation. It permitted her to still feel part of her church family with whom she wanted to be involved.

Mother had several mini-strokes the past five years and was able to bounce back from each one until late March of last year when she lost most of her ability to communiate. She lost her ability to write and much of her speech. Initially, not being able to speak in the manner she could before the stroke, she found frustrating. With the passing of time, she learned to accept the situation and usually when trying to tell us something and we didn't understand, she was able to laugh about it. As Mother grew weary, we all tried to be with her as much as possible. Many, many relatives made a special effort to visit her these past two months and she enjoyed the time spent with each. She knew the end was not far off. Mother did not fear death and I believe she even looked forward to it as her health failed. In the end it ended quietly and peacefully.

She did not leave us with a final message but then in many ways over the months and years in her own inimitable way, I believe her thoughts would have mirrored those of the unknown poet who penned the poem entitled "I'm Free". I will close by reading it:
I"M FREE
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free I'm following the path God laid for me. I took his hand when I heard him call, I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play, Tasks left undone, must stay that way I found peace at close of day. If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joy! A love shared, a laugh, a kiss Oh yes these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I've savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch, Perhaps my time seemed all too brief Don't lenghen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heart and share with me, God wanted me now, HE SET ME FREE.

6. Sheldon, Randy and Cheryl Johnson sing: "Thank You."

7. Meditation on Psalm 23 ... this is a Psalm that is so widely known and loved! I wish to answer the question as to why it is so widely loved and appreciated. There are two reasons that I would like to suggest in the answering of this question: 1. This Psalm more than any other portrays the character qualities of God. a) In the New Testament the character qualities of God are demonstrated lin the life of our Lord Jesus Christ as He lived it out upon the earth. b) While in the Old Testament the character qualities of God were revealed by names that were given to God. From a careful study of the Old Testament, one will discover that among many names ascribed to God, there are seven compound names of God. These seven above all others reveal the nature of God.

The seven compound names of God are as follows:
1. Jehovah-Ra ah translated in Psalm 23 as Shepherd
2. Jehovah-Shalom (Peace) The pastoral scene given in verse 2 is a picture of peace.
3. Jehovah-Tsidkenu (Righteousness) Verse 3 states that the Lord leads us in paths of righteousness.
4. Jehovah-Shammah (The Lord is present) Verse 4 assures us of the presence of the Lord in time of difficulty.
5. Jehovah-Jireh (Provision) Verse 5 assures us of the Lord's provision at all times.
6. Jehovah-Rapha (The Healer) Verse 5 alludes to oil as a symbol of healing.
7. Jehovah-Nissi (A Banner, or Victory) Verse 6 surely portrays victory in this life, and in the life which is to come following death.

The Lord Jesus of the New Testament was all of that which was revealed in the Old Testament through the seven compound names of the LORD, or Jehovah. And all that these names indicated of the character qualities of God are included in the 23rd Psalm. Little wonder that it is a specially loved Psalm.

2. This Psalm can be briefly summated as follows: In verses 1-5 this Psalm portrays Faith for the present, and in verse 6 it speaks of Hope for the future. What more do we need if we have faith for the present, and hope for the future?

However, it should be noted that if you are to have faith for the present and hope for the future, while enjoying the character qualities of God, you must know the Lord as your shepherd. The story is told of a celebration for an outstanding orator. During the evening someone asked the honored guest if he would quote the 23re Psalm. This he did, and as he did, people cheered, and clapped in response. Then the honored guest asked a special friend present if he would quote the 23rd Psalm, this he did. As his godly friend quoted the Psalm, people cried. At the conclusion, the honored guest posed a question: "How is it that when I quoted the 23rd Psalm, you cheered, and clapped, but when my godly friend quoted it, you cried?" Then he proceeded to answer his own question as follows: "I KNOW THE 23rd PSALM, BUT HE KNOWS THE SHEPHERD!" Mom Hillstead not only knew the 23rd Psalm, she knew the Shepherd! She knew the Lord as a Good Shepherd (John 10:11), as the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20) and as the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4).

8. Sheldon Johnson sings: "Welcome Home."

9. Mom Hillstead meets her Maker ... today is a day of separation for us! We feel very deeply the loss of her today upon earth. However in heaven, today is a day of re-union. Mom and Dad Hillstead have been separated by death for thirty-one years, but today they are together with the Lord. This is not a fanciful myth, it is a fact based on the Word of God. Listen to these words, "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8). In view of this let us hear the instruction of the Word of God to us from Ecclesiastes 12 ... "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth. Remember Him, before the silver cord is broken, and the dust return to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Now all has been heard, here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God, and Keep His Commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

10. Congregational Hymn: "In the Sweet Bye and Bye."

11. Prayer of Benediction