Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

Hilda Aldrich passed away quietly in her sleep at St. Peter's Hospital in Helena, Montana on Thursday, December 17, 2015. She was 96-years-old.

Hilda was born to Casper and Katherine (Mehling) Klein on September 26, 1919, in Loveland, Colorado-the fourth oldest of eleven children.

She married Merle Aldrich on July 3, 1937. Merle passed away in 1975 in Worland, Wyoming. Other family members preceding her in death are her parents, her sisters: Helen, Betty, Lydia, and Pauline; and brothers Reuben, Henry, Conrad, and Fred.

Survivors are two sisters, Kathy Taylor and Marty Taylor, both of Worland, WY. Other survivors are her daughter Shirley (Terry) Smothermon of Humble, Texas, and her son Frank (Maris) Aldrich of Helena, Montana. In addition to these survivors are two grandsons, one granddaughter, three great-grandsons, and two great-granddaughters. As well, there are three great-great-grandchildren and two more great-great-grandchildren on the way.

After her husband's death, she moved to Moscow, Idaho, to be near her youngest brother and family. She was employed and resided there for fifteen years before retiring and moving to Helena, Montana, in 1991 to be near her son and daughter-in-law.

She was a very hard-working woman. She loved her flowers and gardening. Hilda was also a very good cook and excellent homemaker. She loved to visit with everyone she met; she was interested in their lives.

Hilda contributed to her obituary before passing and wanted to take this opportunity to say "good-bye" to all her lovely family and wonderful friends.

Burial will take place at the Riverview Cemetery in Worland, Wyoming, on Tuesday, December 22, at 11:00 a.m. The family requests no flowers. If sending a memorial is desired, please do so to your favorite charity in Hilda's name.

A memorial service will be held in Worland in the summer of 2016.