Gladys Billie Fehn
July 05, 2009
On July 5, 2009, Billie joined her husband Harry, family members and many friends in heaven. Her new home now radiates with the wonderful smells of her chocolate chip cookies, rice pudding, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. She also took with her warm hugs and a wonderful sense of humor.
Billie was born January 30, 1921 in a hotel in Kitscoty, Alberta, Canada. Always proud of her Canadian heritage, she would make yearly visits to her home of Paradise Valley (a thriving community of 150) to visit family and friends. To her, Canada was "God's Country".
Billie raised three children, Gerry (Marjorie Ann), Margaret, and Bruce (Marilyn) to whom she taught that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning, and that laughter is life's sweetest creation.
These teachings were passed on to her grandchildren, Andy (Sheila) Fehn, Chris Fehn, Amy (Matt) Parkinson and Owen (Evelyn) Hayes who are now passing it on to her great grandchildren, Chloe, Sophie and Olivia Fehn, and Luke and Sam Parkinson.
She also had numerous "adopted" children whom she loved, cherished and cared deeply for. To Billie, you were not just friends, you were "family" and she treated all those who entered her life in that way. She will especially be remembered by two special friends, Larry Anderson and Anne Wheaton.
Billie's burial will be held 2 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2009 at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery followed by Memorial Services of love and joy, remembrances and of course hugs, at 3:00 PM at Grand View Lutheran Church, East 13th and Hull. Family will greet friends from 5 – 7 pm Thursday, July 9, 2009 at Hamilton's near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers please honor Billie's memory with a contribution to Friends of Iowa Public Television, On With Life Foundation, Taylor House or Grandview Lutheran Church.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Gary Calhoun
01/05/2010
Billie, I will miss you forever in this lifetime. I will rejoice to see you and Big Harry together again someday.
Gary (#3 son)
Roland and Connie Griffith
07/10/2009
Margaret, Gerry and Bruce, Our thoughts are with you at this time. There are no words that can express the loss or your pain. Billie left us with great memories that will live on. We regret that we will not be with you on Friday but our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Blessings to all of you.
Roland and Connie Griffith
Diane Moll, BC, Canada
07/11/2009
Dear Margaret, Bruce, Gerry and families.
On behalf of Emil and Alice Knor, my brother Frank and our families, I wish to convey to you our Deepest Sympathies.
It was with great saddness when we heard of Billie's passing. Even though it has been a long time since we have seen each other, Billie will always be remembered to us with her quick smile and wonderful sense of humour. It always impressed me how she never forgot her roots. That will be how I will always think of her. Margaret thank you so very much for your phone call. I
think of you a great deal and I will phone you in the near future. God Bless you and Guide you through this difficult time.
Milford Ludwig
07/09/2009
Billie and I held hands when we needed. We hugged when we needed.
We sat together when we needed. We didn't need to talk we just knew.
We will all miss Billie, she was special.
Daryl Rogers
07/10/2009
I heard about Auntie Billie's passing far too late to attend the funeral, but had I known I would have surely attended. It has been a long time since I last saw her, but she is one of those people whom you never forget. She came to Canada a few years ago but unfortunately I was away on a military exercise and didn't get a chance to see her then. I would really have loved for her to meet my wife, Shawna, and our daughters Corinne and Danielle.
Auntie Billie, I will always remember you and Uncle Harry and your visits to Paradise Valley when I was a kid, and then your visits later after he died. I hope that, later in my own life, I have the same energy and love for life that you always had. Thank you for all the memories. You will be dearly missed.
Ron and Laurie-Jo Sales and family
07/10/2009
Billie was truly one of God's special people on earth, sharing her love, kindness and wonderful way of making each of us feel so special. Her warmness and laughter will be remembered. Ron and Laurie-Jo Sales and Family
Bill and Kathy Lyon
07/09/2009
Lee telephoned to give us the sad news of Billie's passing. The obituary was wonderful. She was such a happy person -- never without a smile and her laugh was contageous. We know you will miss her terribly and we send our deepest sympathy to the whole family.
Bob and Kathy Leonard
07/09/2009
Margaret, Bruce and Jerry, Your Mother was such a ray of sunshine. Her presence brightened up any room. How thankful we arethat she and Bruce came to Lethbridge for the last reunion. We will miss her visits and bubbly personality. Our prayers and sympathy are with all of you. We would love to see any of you if you come this way. Bob & Kathy
Rob, Angela, Samantha and Emerson Hilbert
07/09/2009
Billie was such a special person (and cook!)...though you don't need us to tell you that...we will be keeping the entire Fehn family in our thoughts and prayers.
Craig Brockway
07/08/2009
Billie was a really special person and a wonderful mother. Having known Bruce for over 40 years, what I remember the most is how welcome she always made us feel in her home. She was fun loving and caring. She will be missed.
Mike & Darlene Brennan
07/08/2009
The following is on a memorial card that I have in my own prayer book so I cannot take plaudits for its ownership: "A life well lived is not about money,big houses,impressive titles, or fine cars. It is about family, friends,our relationship with God, and loving others deeply. What really matters is not the span of days between our birth and death. Rather, somewhrer between those two dates did we live well and leave a legacy of love ?"
You need not ask that last question of Billy and Harry as they gave love, friendship and hugs and all were welcome. As a stranger to Des Moines back in 1967, I met Margaret and eventually, all of the family and was always welcomed warmly at the Fehn home. What a lovely family headed up by Billy and Harry and they always made you feel at home with them. Darlene and I will miss calling in to see Billy on our trips back to Iowa, but we will call in on Margaret who continues her mothers traits of friendship and love.
Thanks Bily for all you gave me especially.
Much love and our condolencies to the Fehn family.
Mike and Darlene Brennan
Robert Boyd
07/08/2009
Gerry,
My sincere condolences on the passing of your Mother. I am sorry I did not know Billie, she sounds like a wonderful person that would have enriched my life by just having known her. You may not remember me, my late wife Rose Mary worked with you at the bank in Ankeny many years ago. I hope that the pain and sorrw that you, Marjorie Ann and the rest of your family and friends are feeling right now will soon be replaced by cherished memories of your Mother.
Sincerely,
Bob Boyd
Prescott, Az
Kathy Baumgardner
07/07/2009
Please accept my heartfelt condolences at the loss of your mother, Billie Fehn. I'll never forget her smile and her delicious pudding. She was truly a very loving and warm person. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Marge Murray, Iowa City
07/07/2009
I know how very much Billie meant to Bruce and Marilyn Fehn. I can only imagine how much she has meant to her many other friends and relatives. I send my deepest condolences on the loss of such a wonderful human being.
Kate Ramos
07/07/2009
What a lovely obituary. Billie truly was an amazing person who never failed to open her home and her heart to everyone. I always thought of her as a surrogate grandmother and I'm sure she felt no differently about me. I will miss her so, so much.