Hilda Kathryn Briggs' Obituary
Hilda was born in Brunswick, Nebraska to Pete and Louise Neppl Anderson. She graduated from Royal High School and shortly thereafter, in 1928, she and her high school sweetheart Roy Briggs and another couple ran off to be married in South Dakota.
In 1929, the young couple moved to Portland where Roy went to work for a radio repair shop and soon after they started a family. Roy moved Hilda and their children to the Aloha/Hillsboro area where he opened his own shop, "Roy's Radio and TV." Later Hilda went to work at JC Penney, retiring after 27 years. The ready-to-wear department was perfect for this classy lady- who was beautiful inside and out. She loved to dress up and her hair and make-up were always perfect.
They joined a dance club, and Roy would bring a TV and antenna so the group could dance to the Lawrence Welk Show's "Good Ole Days." Hilda and Roy actually met Lawrence Welk and followed his music forever.
In 1975, the couple moved to St. Helens to be closer to family. Besides being awesome dancers they enjoyed traveling, bowling, and golf. Once during a game, Roy hit Hilda in the forehead with a golfball. However, she cleverly hid the three-inch scar under her blond hair and never let the incident get in the way of her love for the game. Hilda was along time member of the St. Helens Golf Club. She had two Hole in Ones- and only gave up the clubs at the age of 82. Hilda was also an active member of St. Frederic's Catholic Church.
Family and friends were important to Hilda and Roy. They invited everyone to dance as they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the St. Helens Yacht Club and their 60th at the St. Helens Golf Course. Unfortunately, Hilda lost the love of her life in 1998 when Roy died at the age of 90. Hilda died at the age of 96, having spent the last four years of her life in the loving care of staff at Avamere Assisted Care Center.
Hilda is survived by her daughter Janise Gronholm and son-in-law Jack of Warren; daughter-in-law Mel Briggs of Seattle, Washington; sisters Delores Pallett of Lake Havasu City, Arizona and Lucille Sparks of Crescent City, California; brothers Ken Anderson of Beaverton and Norman Anderson of Brigham City, Utah; seven grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy Sr., son Roy Jr., twin sister Helen Haines, sister Dorothy Ackerson, and brothers Lewis and Harold Anderson.
Private family services will be held on May 27, 2006 at Columbia Memorial Gardens in Scappoose.
"Mom, your love of people and life; your fun laughter, wonderful smile, and gracious spirit will always be remembered by those who where blessed to know you."
Love,
your daughter Janise
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