Hilde Aloisa Hess' Obituary
Our beloved Mother and Oma went to be with our Lord during the early evening of Monday, March 19th, 2018. Hilda Aloisa Hess (co-founder of Hess Bakery in Lakewood, Wa) passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her Husband of over 50 years, Anthony Hess, who passed in 2006. Born on April 4, 1927 in Freidrichsfeld, Germany to Barbara and Eugen Siesz, she was the youngest of 5 children (3 daughters and 2 sons). Her siblings were Liesel, Friedl, Albert and Alfred. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Wear, Sons Siegfried and Mark Hess, daughter-in-laws Marjorie and Susie. Her grandchildren – Maria, Stephen, Austin, Sydney, Leonard and Jody. Great Grandchildren – Kaela, Noah, Melia and Anthony.
Her childhood was poor and made more difficult due to the hardships of WWII in Germany. However, her experiences only served to strengthen her resolve in later years. She always wanted to be a salesperson and perhaps one day have her own business. In 1942 Hilda began as an apprentice in retail sales and passed all her exams in Heidelberg in 1945. In November 1959 she and Anthony would immigrate to America to pursue the American Dream. They found that “dream” would involve working over 12 hour days, 6 days per week. She was very good with money and together they saved and bought a small bakery in Lakewood, the beginning of Hess Bakery & Delicatessen which still serves the public today. That small store on Bridgeport Way would eventually evolve to the larger European Square now located on Mt. Tacoma Drive in Lakewood. She always told everyone that her best memories and times were working in her store. She was a natural with people and they loved her in return. Mom and dad were always very generous, giving to local people who had very little. Dad would also give leftover bakery goods to charities, churches etc..Kindness and charity were easy for them because they remembered how it was when they first started and needed help.
Mom loved to travel. She saw Europe, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mexico, Chicago, San Francisco, and many other places. She said “travel whenever you can, do not wait until your old age”. Mom also was a great cook and passed down her skills to her daughter, daughter-in-laws and grandchildren. She loved her sweets, especially chocolates. You could always see her next door at the German Pastry Shop drinking coffee, meeting friends and eating sweet treats during her breaks. She worked until she was 79 years old. Later, came the dimentia diagnosis. She was always happy and making jokes with everyone. Words cannot adequately explain her impact on so many lives and how she will be missed by all. She will be remembered and we were so blessed to have been a part of her time on this earth. God Bless you Mom, now and forever!!
Services will be held Tuesday, April 10th, 1:00 PM in the Aspen Chapel, Mountain View Memorial Park, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, Wa 98499. Reception following in the Willow Room (directly next to the Chapel).
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