Kathyrin Marie Hilton

March 25, 1921 – August 17, 2020

Kathyrin Marie Hilton; wife of Loren; mother to Peggy, Judy, and Randy, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother. She was a friend to many and my Mother-in-Law.

We all had breakfast this morning and prepared for this event today. We are sorrowful at Mom’s passing. But life goes on.

We will greatly miss Marie and rightly so, for she was a kind, helpful, friendly woman, mother, and mother-in-law. Marie’s life on earth has ceased, but Marie’s spirit continues to live in Heaven with her Creator and Savior. What a beautiful place to be, in Heaven. Where life goes on.

I met Marie’s daughter, Peggy, (about 60 years ago). Marie invited me to stay for dinner. She prepared a popular salad of the time which consisted of a leaf of iceberg lettuce, a half of peeled pear, with a topping of cottage cheese. I didn’t tell anyone, but I could not stand cottage cheese. I ate it anyway so not offend Marie and to impress Peggy. I married into the family in spite of the cottage cheese.

Marie had a prayer room with a bulletin board where she pinned prayer requests and pictures of whom she prayed for daily. I am sure many of our lives have been enhanced by her prayers.

Marie loved music. In her early married life, she played the guitar and sang at church and on the radio.

She would always cough to clear her throat before she sang.

Here is a song her grandchildren loved for her to sing to them over and over again. I hope you enjoy it as much as they did.

(Clear throat) “In the Valley of Yoo-hoo, there’s a dead cat pehew that brings back sweet memories of you. (Clear throat) In the Valley of Yoo-hoo, there’s a dead cat pehew that brings back sweet memories of you.”

When Marie was young, she had green eyes and some kids at school one day teased her about them. They said; "green eyed, greedy gut, ate the whole world up."

Marie went home crying. She told her dad she didn’t want to go back to school because of what the kids called her.

Her dad asked her, who called you this? Marie replied, the Snyder kids.

Her dad thought for a moment, and then said, the next time they tease you; you tell them this, “brown eyed, picky pie, run a mile, to tell a lie." Well, the next day the Snyder kids teased her again. "green eyed, greedy gut, ate the whole world up." Marie replied, “brown eyed, picky pie, run a mile, to tell a lie." The Snyder kids never teased her again.

The last few years of Marie’s life, she would sing the following song several times a day. (Clear throat) “What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see, when I look upon His face, the one who saved me by his grace. When He takes me by the hand and leads me to the Promised Land, what a day, glorious day that will be!” (Sing once)

She did not sing this song over and over to try and impress God, to get into His good graces, and go to heaven. No, when Marie sang this song, she was singing a love song. She was singing to the lover of her soul, Jesus.

Let me tell you a little secret about Marie. In her young married years, she was afraid to die. She wasn’t afraid for herself, but for others. For you see, her mother died when she was only 12. Her father died before she was 18. Marie had a very difficult childhood with a very mean stepmother. She did not want to grow up, get married, have children, and then die. She did not want her children to endure what she had to suffer. Growing up without a loving mother.

Marie explained to our daughter, Coralanne, when hard times come you have 2 options; to become bitter or to become better. There is only a 1 letter difference between these 2 words; I & E. If you focus on the “I” for example, “I was hurt,” or “I don’t deserve this.” Then it is easier to become BITTER. Whereas, if you focus on the “E” for eternity and Jesus, then you will most likely grow and become BETTER after a difficult time. Certainly, a healthy mind set.

The Lord God answered Marie’s prayer. She not only lived to raise her children to adulthood. She lived to be over 99 years young and had children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even had a great-great-grandchild. God answered her prayer more than she could even ask or think.

Marie was witty. On her 98 birthday she was dressed up very nice. One of her birthday party guests made the comment. “You sure look nice today.” Marie smiled and replied, “I must have looked into a different mirror this morning.”

Loren and Marie were married for 65 years. They both grew up experiencing, first hand, desperate conditions. No matter their meager living or financial condition, they helped others. They helped out both family members and others when help was needed. They helped from both an empathic and a loving heart.

For many years, Marie had read through the Bible every year. But, when she was 88 years young, she didn’t quite make it; she was a few books short. So, the following year she read through the Bible 4 times! How many people do you know less than 89 who have read the Bible from cover to cover at least once a year?

I would like to read an interesting quote from the movie, “The Gerson Miracle”

Nothing is permanent; life is fragile, and beautiful.

To each of us whither we are ready; someday we will come to an end.

There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours, or days.

All the things you collected wither treasured or forgotten will pass to someone else.

Your wealth, fame, and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.

It will not matter what you owned or owed.

Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear.

So too will your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to do lists will expire.

The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.

It won’t matter where you came from or on what side of the tracks you lived in the end.

Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.

So, what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured?

What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built.

Not what you got, but what you gave.

What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught.

What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage, or sacrifice that enriched, empowered, and encouraged others to emulate your example.

It won’t matter as much your competence, but your character.

What will matter is not how many people you knew. But how many will feel a lasting loss when you’re gone.

What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in others that loved you.

What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what.

A life lived significantly is not one of circumstance as much as it was of unfailing dedication of choice.

A life that touched … humanity then and now.

Marie touched many lives. I’m sure she positively touched your life as she has mine. That is why we are here, to remember a Godly woman who cared and prayed for us.

She has given up her wheelchair and now walks freely without the fear of her knee giving way and falling. She now takes a stroll in heaven with her Savior, holding her Savior’s nail scared hand, as He proudly shows her the flowers of Heaven. I’m sure Marie’s lost sense of smell has returned and Marie now enjoys Heaven’s beautiful flowers and fragrances, that are out of this world.

Marie is gone. Are you ready to die? Are you ready to meet God on your Judgement Day? Living here on earth and then dying is serious business.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12 – (quote verse) … Strength for what? Strength to live for Jesus on this earth; strength to pass through your “Valley of the Shadow of Death.”

Mom blessed us every day with her God given wit and wisdom. One day she came from her bedroom and greeted us in our kitchen for breakfast. Her first spoken words were, "this could be our last day on earth, but isn't God good not to tell us; because we would spend the day worrying."

Marie ended up living in Eskaton. Marie’s had a very short memory in her later years. But she remembered her love for Jesus. She witnessed to the nurses, other employees, and anyone that came her way. How did she witness? She would smile at them and sing, “what a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see …”

Peggy and I called Marie, “Queen Mother.” Today she is in Heaven with a new name, Saint Kathyrin Marie Hilton.

I love you mom, Good Bye for now.

I will see you again someday. Why? Because, with Jesus, life goes on!

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Marie Hilton’s Funeral Service

August 23. 2020

By Richard Nungesser

To my mom Peggy and Dad George, Aunt Judy, Uncle Ray who has passed, Uncle Randy, and Aunt Karen.

I know you called her mom and also queen mother. We are very sorry for her passing. I know that she loved you all more than life itself. I’m very thankful and grateful for grandma Hilton.

Some of you don’t know this but she saved my hide once a long time ago. Those of you who knew her will recall she worked for many years at the Blue Diamond Almonds company. As grandchildren we grew up on almonds. We ate almonds in our school lunches, on road trips, and of course every time we visited grandma. Roasted or toasted almonds were always laying around the house. Well, I got in trouble with my mom for some reason. It was one of those moments that I was going to get spanked. The more I think about it, I actually think it was my brother George who was naughty, but being the second child, I always got blamed for everything. And all the second born say, Amen!

I had to go to my room while mom went to get a wooden spoon to spank my behind. While waiting, I noticed little packages of Blue Diamond almonds on my dad’s desk. My brain went into survival mode. I quickly put a packet of almonds in each of my back pockets. I was adding Blue Diamond almonds as extra padding of protection to soften the blow. Well, mom walked in and I had to lay over her knees. She started spanking me, but I didn’t cry. I actually started giggling because my plan was working like a charm. The spoon spanking didn’t hurt at all. Mom couldn’t figure out why I was laughing, so she stopped spanking me. I told her that I hide the almonds in my back pockets to soften the blow. Well, that made mom laugh, she stopped spanking me, and then gave me a hug. Thank you, Grandma Hilton, for saving my hide, my life!

We have all heard that Heaven is such an amazing, awesome, glorious, magnificent place where we all want to go someday. But, just not yet. However, I think Grandma was the exception to this saying. For years she has been ready to go to heaven and join Jesus along with her husband Loren and many others. But God kept her here on earth for many reasons. She even tested positive for a Covid 19 and was moved to the Covid 19 Unit. She spent two weeks in quarantine with other Covid 19 patients. Marie was finally released with no ill health effects and then tested negative for the Covid 19 virus.

God kept Grandma Hilton here on this earth for a reason. I believe one of the reasons was her loyalty in praying for us. Grandma prayed all the time. Grandpa even built Grandma an addition to their home that became her prayer room. I can’t imagine how many times because of her prayers that we might have been spared accidents, threats, and sicknesses. I can’t imagine how many times because of her prayers we experienced employment, job promotions, awesome spouses, and children. She wrestled with God on our behalf. She fought the good spiritual fight for us. We will be forever grateful for her endless amounts of prayers for all of our lives.

Now, Grandma’s mission is complete. She can no longer pray for us. Now it’s up to us to carry the power of prayer for each other; for our children, our grandchildren, great grandchildren, even great, great grandchildren.

This side of heaven we grieve for her loss. It’s true and we shouldn’t deny the pain that we feel in our souls of Marie Hilton’s passing. In order to heal we must first feel. And this feeling of sorrow is normal. We’ve spent a good portion of our life with Grandma. We will miss her deeply.

But Grandma and other loved ones, who have passed, now know something that we can’t yet fully understand. The Bible says a lot about Heaven. What it will be like, streets of gold, giant party with God, no more death, no more tears, new body, no more sickness, and the list goes on and on. From the Biblical perspective we know only a speck of what heaven will be like. But as we stand here today, Grandma knows the reality of heaven. The reason Grandma Hilton knows this to be true is that someone told her about Heaven and the Bible confirmed it.

So, I want to pass on what Grandma Hilton would like passed on to you today. Heaven is real and the reality of heaven is more than we can ever imagine. The only way to heaven is through God’s son, Jesus Christ. The Bible says in John 3:16-17: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son. That whoever shall believe in him will not perish but have ever lasting life. For God did not send his son into this world to condemn the world but to save the world through him.

Grandma’s favorite verse comes from this passage: About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. Then the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” The jailer called for lights and rushed into their jail cell. Trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” The question the jailer asked in this passage is the same question we must ask ourselves today. Are each of you saved from sin? If you were to die today, would you know 100% sure that you would go to heaven? Grandma Hilton knew 100% and I know that she would want you to have this same assurance, too. Your salvation lies in your belief in the Lord Jesus; you will be saved, you and your household, according the scripture we just read. If you don’t have this assurance then accept Jesus as your Savior today!

I would like to pray and give thanks to God for the assurance we have of Grandma Hilton, for the new heavenly body, and for the opportunity that we all have to be together again because of salvation.

Prayer Blessing!

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Grandma Hilton Funeral by Grandson, George M. Nungesser

Have you ever had someone say to you, “What a day! What a

Day this has been!” Likely, from the expression on the person’s face, or the tone of voice, you knew right away what was meant. It was pretty plain whether he or she was saying, “What a delight!” or, “What a disaster!” And we’ve experienced both ourselves, in our own lives and in our family, so we can identify.

The concerns of one are to awaken the loving concern of others in the community of believers, because the body of Christ is connected spiritually, just as the parts of our physical bodies are connected.

I Cor. 12:26-27 tells us, “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”

Some days take us completely by surprise, for good or ill. We may feel that our plans are set for tomorrow, but the new day brings unexpected challenges. Proverbs provides incredible wisdom in how we should approach tomorrow and our plans for it, Proverbs 27:1 says, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth”. And Proverbs‬ ‭19:21 tells us, “Many plans are in of a man’s heart, But it’s the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” ‬‬‬

You just never know. Jim Hill didn’t. He was shocked by a day of trouble that hit his family. His mother-in-law was only fifty years old when she suffered a debilitating stroke. Jim was just a new Christian, and he puzzled over that. Why would the Lord allow that to happen to such a good woman?

Driving home from work one afternoon, he thought about the Bible’s description of that coming day when all such troubles will be put behind us. Rev. 21:4 says, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away”. Jim exclaimed to himself, “What a day that will be!”

As he mediated on this, an idea for a new song came to him. Getting out of the car at home, he spotted a piece of cardboard and immediately began writing on it the words his song idea, while it was fresh in his memory.

He wasn’t sure it was any good. But Jim and his wife, and his sister-in-law went to visit his mother-in-law and sang it for her. Her face brightened with a smile to hear it. That was sixty-five years ago, and the song he wrote that day became a favorite of my grandma and was sung many times at her bed side before her passing. Let’s sing it together. On your faces I want to see delight for this is truly what a day, because my Grandma is experiencing the best day of her entire life right now!

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,

And I look upon His face,

The One who saved me by His grace;

When He takes me by the hand,

And leads me through the Promised Land,

What a day, glorious day that will be!

Pray without ceasing,

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Kathyrin Marie Hilton by Peggy Nungesser

Thank you for coming and helping us honor the life Kathyrin Marie Hilton. She lived for Jesus while on earth and now lives with Jesus forever.

We grew up in a church in Sacramento. It had a tradition of wearing a white flower on Mother’s Day if your mother was deceased or a red flower if she was living. Since my mother’s mother was in Heaven, Mom always wore a white flower. I on the other hand had the privilege of wearing red. Today I am wearing my mother’s pink suit and her white flower.

I loved my mother deeply and enjoyed calling her Queen Mother.

When you arrived today you were given a bag of almonds. Let me explain why. Marie Hilton worked for The Blue Diamond Almond Growers for 30 years.

Nuts and the trees they produce or trees and the nuts they produce are gifts from God. The Bible has much to say about trees and their fruit.

Marie’s death was a direct result of Adam and Eve’s eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Jesus Christ was crucified hanging on a tree to buy back Marie from the penalty of sin. Scripture says, “cursed is anyone who hangs on a tree.” The Bible prophesied Christ’s death hundreds of years before His died.

Isaiah 61:1-3 reads, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.

Marie was a planting of the Lord. She was a redeemed one. She knew that she lived and had her being in Christ alone.” She looked forward to her departure and seeing her Savior face to face. She would say, “I don’t need a mansion in Heaven. I just want a place where I can constantly behold the face of Jesus.

Psalms One tells us that Marie was like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brought forth her fruit in due season. Consider that there are trees that are alive on earth right now that are thousands of years old. Those trees have been a source of shade, comfort and nourishment to multitudes throughout the centuries.

Contrast the Biblical symbolism of those without Christ. The Bible says they are as grass that is mowed down and withers in a day. If Marie had lived for herself with no regard for God, she would now be as grass or worse. But from age 18, Marie lived for God and others. If her life and prayers helped bring you into the Kingdom of God, then she is still bearing fruit. If you share the Gospel with others and they receive JESUS, then both you and Marie are bringing forth fruit in your season. Do you see how fruit, of a tree planted by God, can ripple through out eternity?

Another beauty of being a planting of the Lord is the fruit that comes to the Spirit-filled believer. Galatians lists nine of them. As they are read, please, in the quiet of your heart reflect on how Marie’s life touched yours in the following ways:

LOVE

JOY

PEACE

LONG SUFFERING

GENTLENESS

GOODNESS

FAITH

MEEKNESS

and

TEMPERANCE

Marie knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Heaven was her destiny. She wanted each of you to prepare to join her in the City of God. In that City is a river that flows from the Throne of God. On the side of the river is a tree which produces a different kind of fruit each month. The very leaves of that tree are for the healing of the nations.

Please, take your bag of almonds home. Find a shady spot under a tree and enjoy eating the nuts. Ask yourself these questions.

1. Have I received the atoning Blood of Christ for the forgiveness of my sin?

2. Am I a tree planted by the Lord?

3. Is God glorified in my life?

4. Am I and others blessed by the fruit produced by my life?

5. Am I prepared to enjoy the Tree of Life for all eternity?

If you can honestly answer yes to these questions, you will one day join Marie in the City of God. Marie seeing you in eternity will fulfill her heart’s desire.

In conclusion, I want to share a phase found frequently in the Psalms. It is, “loving kindness and tender mercies”. I want to thank you, family, friends, Daughters of the American Revolution organization, Eskaton Staff and especially, my husband, George, for showering Mom with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

Thank you and God bless you.

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Loving Memories of Grandma Marie by Charles Nungesser

From my earliest memories, I always enjoyed and looked forward to visiting Grandma’s home. We either drove fourteen hours or later flew from Phoenix to Sacramento. Upon arrival she always made us feel welcome. She had a gift turning ordinary ingredients into dishes we all liked eating. Like her pinto bean chili, her microwave corn on the cob, or her biscuits and gravy. Her kindness for her grandkids also included a special trip to the supermarket to allow us to pick out our favorite treat. Every time I chose the fudge dipped wafers. The evenings were spent playing board games, cards, and working on large Jigsaw puzzles.

During our time together, I always enjoyed listening to her stories. When I got older, I had the pleasure of videoing her tell stories and singing her favorite songs. One story I always enjoyed from her was what prompted her first visit to California. When she was a newlywed, she got a job at a clothing company in Missouri. During training she learned how to sew on pockets and plackets. At the end of training the supervisor asked her which one she preferred doing. Marie answered she very much enjoyed sewing on the pockets and felt she was much better at it. The supervisor quickly told her she would only be working on plackets. Feeling unheard, Marie asked for her weeks pay and quit. She had a couple relatives headed for Los Angeles and she hitched a ride. In Los Angeles she was hoping to see Loren after he finished his basic training for World War II. As fate would have it, Loren was shipped out before finishing his basic training and sent to Asia. Marie was heartbroken and upset she missed seeing him. Later they both found out if Loren had completed his training, he would have been sent to Europe with his original unit where they all perished.

I miss Grandma Marie, and I wish my young kids could have gotten to know her better. But they will hear about her and all her wonderful stories.

Love, Charles