LOUISE GRONEMYER HILDE CLASING, 93, a resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Monday, December 12, 2005 in Mount Vernon surrounded by family members during the last few days of her life.
She was born on August 27, 1912 in Ada, Oklahoma, one of 8 children born to John and Mollie Jullian Gronemyer.
The family moved to Skagit County by train in 1915, where they joined John’s brothers in homesteading small farms east of Sedro-Woolley. Louise attended private church schools in Skagit County, Loma Linda and Los Angeles, Calif., where she graduated from high school.
In 1935, Louise was united in marriage to Leroy Einar Hilde in Sedro-Woolley. They were blessed with three children. Louise & Leroy worked together to establish the Hilde Sand & Gravel Business. Leroy died in a tragic accident in 1959.
Louise subsequently married Horst E. Clasing in 1962, and moved to California for several years, returning with Horst to Sedro-Woolley in 1973. Horst passed away in 1982.
Louise is remembered with deep love by her children and grandchildren. Her integrity and focus on her family are hallmarks of a life lived before God with commitment and devotion. She was an active life-long church member, attending services at the North Cascade Seventh-day Adventist Church in Burlington just a few days before her death.
Lovely detailed sewing, tailoring, crocheting, knitting, and gardening were pleasures in her life. She collected dolls, pretty handkerchiefs, thimbles, and small pitchers. Over the years, Louise served as a capable and talented secretary, and put in many hours of volunteer work for her church as a treasurer, church clerk, and deaconess, as well as other leadership positions. She traveled all over the United States with Horst, volunteering with him, as he represented the church in his position as Director of the Seventh-day Adventist Welfare Services, located at that time in California. In recent years, her stated desire to her family was that she hoped she was doing the Lord’s will, since He was letting her live so long. Her family believes that she did this in a dedicated and wonderful way.
Louise is survived by her three children, Anita Hilde Lang of La Conner; Dr. Jack Leroy Hilde Joan and Douglas Ludvig Hilde, all of Sedro-Woolley. Louise’s 91-year old sister, Faye Peck of Springfield, Oregon, remains as the only surviving member of the original Gronemyer family.
Surviving grandchildren include Dr. Kaarsten Lang Lester, Bayview; Kendell Lang Patti, Encinitas, CA; Kristiana Lang, Mount Vernon; Jacqueline Cabe Richard, Issaquah; John Hilde, Burlington; Dr. Jason Hilde Jill, Mount Vernon; Jessica Hartzog Josh, Everett; Marga Hilde, Mount Vernon. Louise is also survived by step-children, Hilda Perry Abe; Ruth Phillips Don and Robert Clasing Connie all of California. There are a large number of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members, including step-grandchildren, who also cherish the memories Louise leaves behind.
The family is grateful to the caring staff at Mira Vista for their help in making Louise’s last days comfortable. Memorials are suggested to the North Cascade Seventh-day Adventist Church ‘Move The Fence’ project, 800 Peacock Lane, Burlington, WA 98233.
A Life Celebration for Louise will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 4:00 PM at the North Cascades Seventh-day Adventist Church in Burlington with Pastor Pat Grant officiating. Private interment will be held at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.