Born Aug. 30, 1932, to Eugene and May T. (Harvey) Heye in Sharon Springs, Kan., Darlene Fern Hill entered heaven’s gates Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, of age-related illness.
Darlene was welcomed into this world as the fourth of five daughters, born in a sod home on one of several homesteads between Kansas and Nebraska. After the family packed up, moved and settled outside of Troy in 1937, she was joined by four more sisters. Sadly, the youngest passed away as an infant. Being raised on a farm, assisting with the chores, taught her the importance and rewards of hard work. While attending Randal Flat Elementary School with her siblings, she found the love of her life.
On Nov. 19, 1949, Darlene married Wilton E. Hill in Moscow. After starting their family, with the birth of Donald, and moving several times, they purchased a small house in North Lewiston around 1951. He started work at the Potlatch Paper mill. After the birth of their second child, Patricia, Darlene began working at the lumber mill. While she was forced to quit when she was expecting again for their youngest son Robert, in about 1956 she began working at the paper mill, retiring in 1994.
A loving mother and homemaker, Darlene became a very good cook, but an exceptional baker. During the holidays, she would spend countless hours making cookies, fudge, brownies and peanut brittle, while still keeping house, shopping, cleaning and working at the mill. While spending all that time in the kitchen, she enjoyed teaching and making popcorn balls with family and friends the most.
When we would bring our friends home, she would accept them, feed them and become their second mom. Up to her passing, she was thought of as a wonderful lady and friend by everyone who got to know her, and always known as mom, grandma, and grandma great by family and friends.
When she had time, she enjoyed gardening, sewing, crafts, pottery and traveling. In her later years, she loved to plant tomatoes and cucumbers, which she would share with family and friends. As a member of the Lewis-Clark Retirees, she enjoyed attending monthly meetings and visiting with retired co-workers. For years, she was an active member of Curves and Tops. In her later years, she became a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Branch 10043 Auxiliary, and participated as a flag bearer. When Pat was young, Darlene even found time to be a Girl Scout leader with her friend, Lou Weaver. She liked the simple life, and never had a use for fancy items, even in recent years, the computer or cellphones, although her son did find a certificate where she took a class at Lewis-Clark State College in computer basics.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband Wilton in 1995; and four sisters, Isabelle, Deloris, Ruthie and Nancy.
She is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Wayne) Wilson of Elk River; sons Donald (Sharon) Hill and Robert (Angelika) Hill of Lewiston; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters, Dorothy Smith and Elenor Aske, both of Troy, along with many nieces and nephews.
Services will take place at 10 a.m. Friday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home. There will be a graveside service at noon in Beulah Cemetery at Troy, along with a covered-dish dinner to follow at the Troy Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Service Information
- Date & Time
- Friday, December 28, 10:00 AM
- Location
-
Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home
920-21st Avenue
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
Get Directions - Additional Details
- Burial will be held at Beulah Cemetery outside Troy, Idaho at 12:00 p.m.
Offer Condolences
Our Family, Serving Yours
✔ Family Owned since 1898
✔ Professional, Licensed Staff
✔ Burial or Cremation Services
✔ Pre-Arranged Funeral Plans
✔ Comfortable Facility
Serving the LC Valley Since 1898
920 21st Avenue