Phyllis "Auntie B" Bibelheimer's Obituary
Phyllis Eleanor (Stuermer) Bibelheimer died on August 31, 2019 at the age of 97. She was born
on January 28, 1922, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the youngest of seven children born to
Adolf and Mary Stuermer. Phyllis came to the Tacoma area as a young child and became a US
citizen in 1951. She graduated from Puyallup High School and had begun to train as a nurse
when she met and married the love of her life, Alvin Bibelheimer. They were married almost 68
years before he passed away in 2013.
Most of her life was spent serving Christ with her musical talents. Inspired by her older sister
to play the piano, she took lessons, but her talent came naturally. She began her musical
career as accompanist for a gospel quartet, The King’s Four. For many years, she played the
piano and organ and sang in or directed the choir at Calvary Baptist Church where she and Al
were members. Her primary job was that of mother and homemaker until the late 1950s when
she was asked to begin a choral ensemble of teenagers who would sing at youth rallies for
Voice of Christian Youth (VCY—later known as Youth For Christ) and in local churches. The
“Teen Tones” were formed in early 1959 and continued through the early 1980s when they
became known as the “Campus Singers.” She also was the office manager for Voice of
Christian Youth where she worked for several years. She touched the lives of many teenagers
through her music ministry. Many of them still came to see her, called, or wrote her notes up
until her death.
The most important people in her life next to her Savior, Jesus Christ, were her family
members, with whom she loved spending time. Preceding her in death were her parents, Adolf
and Mary Stuermer; sisters Margaret Stuermer, Alice Marangi (Len), Beatrice Vandenheuval
(Van); brothers—Bob Stuermer, Clarence Stuermer (Ellen), George Stuermer (Mikki); husband
Alvin, and son Steve.
She is survived by her daughter Ann Van Gilder (Chip), daughter-in-law Ingrid
Soendergaard-Bibelheimer of Copenhagen, Denmark; grandchildren Jason Van Gilder
(Leanne), Amy Reinmuth (Jeff), and Amanda Bibelheimer (Chris Flink); Rikke Soendergaard and
Ditte Soendergaard, great grandchildren, Levin, Philip, Owen, Ella-Ann, and Tait Van Gilder;
Kaelyn, Cooper, and Campbell Reinmuth; Mikala Soendergaard-Maktabi, Sebastian
Soendergaard and Luka Soendergaard; Hannibal, Oscar and Sylvester Soendergaard-Tannous;
great great grandchild, Mynthe Bovald Soendergaard. She also leaves many nieces, nephews
and special friends who made a place in their hearts for her and she for them. (You know who
you are! Thank you for your friendship and love.)
Special thanks to the caregivers at King’s Manor Assisted Living who invested so much love
into her life for five years. You are appreciated and will not be forgotten. Also thanks to Diane,
Merilee, and Rachel, her Franciscan Hospice Team. You made end-of-life so much better for
her and her family.
A family graveside service will be held. A Celebration of Life will be held on September 28,
2019 at 11:00am at Calvary Baptist Church, 6511 South C Street, Tacoma.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Christian schools her great
grandchildren attend: Springfield Classical Christian School c/o1820 North Lexington, Tacoma,
WA 98406 or Tacoma Baptist Schools, 2052 South 64th, Tacoma, WA 98409 (online at https://www.tacomabaptist.org)
What’s your fondest memory of Phyllis?
What’s a lesson you learned from Phyllis?
Share a story where Phyllis' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Phyllis you’ll never forget.
How did Phyllis make you smile?
