Arleah Laurette Bruce Hillegeist, 84, realized her Living Hope in Christ Jesus during the early morning hours of Saturday, June 20, 2020 at her family home of 60 years in Rose Hill/Tomball, Texas.

Born September 29, 1935 in Livingston, Arleah's parents and siblings moved to various Texas communities due to her father's work with the Humble Oil Company.  Arleah and her family lived in Humble Oil Camps in Schwab City, Bellville (Racoon Bend), Alvin and settled in Tomball when she was in the 3 ^rd grade.  She was a member of First Baptist Church, Tomball and dedicated her life to her Lord Jesus Christ at 12 years of age.  On August 14, 1959 Arleah married Roy Hillegeist, a local banker she met while 'dragging' Main Street in Tomball with a girlfriend.  She was confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod and became a member of Salem Lutheran Church of Rose Hill.

Arleah graduated from Tomball High School as Salutatorian in 1953 and then received a Music, Elementary Education degree from Sam Houston State Teachers College in 1956.  She taught school in the South Houston, Pasadena, Tomball and Cy-Fair ISDs before leaving teaching to become a stay at home mother and homemaker.  Arleah did return to teaching first grade at Tomball Lutheran School in 1966 with son Bruce Hillegeist as one of her 14 students.

Arleah's absolute love was music.  She had an angelic voice and was a master at both the piano and the organ.  Arleah sang and played the organ for countless weddings and funerals in and around the Tomball area and she was well-known for singing 'Jesus Loves Me' at baby baptisms.  For many years, as she played the piano, Arleah and Ruthie Klein led Salem Sunday School singing for children ages 3 years thru 3 ^rd grade before they headed to Sunday School class.  Arleah was Salem's organist and choir director and later became a member of the Salem Church choir.  She was involved in Salem's Turkey Suppers, was a member and officer of the Salem Ladies Aid, presided as secretary on Salem's board of directors and hosted Salem's Agape Bible Study in her home for 26 years with Pastor Doug Dommer as Bible study teacher.  Arleah was also known for her community service and volunteerism serving as school room mother during her children's elementary years, as a member and president of the Tomball Study Club, was one of the founding members of TEAM (Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries), was a member and officer of the Tomball FFA Booster Club coordinating the Tomball FFA's very first chapter Project Show & Sale auction billing process, and helped to organize annual reunions of the Oil Patch Kids, the children of Humble Oil Camp (Tomball) workers.

As a wife and mother, Arleah was a fabulous cook: roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, along with broccoli casserole most Sundays after church.  Her specialty was turkey and dressing with all the trimmings, learned from Roy's mother, Tillie.  She loved to bake, too, and Arleah had a wide variety of recipes that made the pages of church and community recipe books.  As a Lutheran, she felt it 'okay' to enjoy a margarita at times and her margarita recipe was tremendously popular. Arleah's gifts as a  lady of integrity included but not limited to genuinely loving her Lord Jesus, treasuring people, practicing hospitality, and relishing in faithful tithing to church and community.  She was a daily Bible reader and prayer warrior…and she loved to talk on the phone!

Following a tragic illness that saw her beloved Roy ('Precious') become completely incapacitated, Arleah was her husband's chief caregiver for more than 12 years within their home.  She truly honored her wedding vows made to Roy ("…in sickness and  in health") and took care of his every need, along with round-the-clock caregivers.

Arleah was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Edward Hillegeist (2003); parents, A. R. and Irene Thomas Bruce; sister, Jeanne Marie Bruce Drake; brothers-in-law, Earl Hillegeist and Gene Drake; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Edward B. and Mathilde Werner Hillegeist; and nephew, Jon Drake.  Surviving family members include sons, Bruce Hillegeist, Brian Hillegeist and wife Tammy, and Blake Hillegeist; grandsons, Bryce Hillegeist and Brenden Masden; brother, R. T. (Tom) Bruce and wife Jackie; sister-in-law, Norma Hillegeist; nieces, Jana Drake Tornga and husband Roger, Julie Drake Cianciolo and husband Jim, Laurel Bruce Caskey and husband Jim, and Carol Bruce Mattingly and husband Steve; nephews, Dale Bruce and wife Rachelle and Daryl Bruce and wife Beth; great-niece, Audrey Puckett and husband Brandon; great-nephews, Spencer Caskey, Slater Caskey and Jimmy Cianciolo and wife MiKayla; great-great-niece, Autumn Liora Puckett; along with many additional relatives and friends.

The Hillegeist family expresses grateful appreciation to caregivers who showered Arleah with tender love and attention, especially Berta Mireles, LaTesha Harrison, Sharon Hill, and Evelyn Huebner.   Special visits from Pastor Tim Carter brought her great encouragement, as well as visits from her childhood friend, Eileen Brautigam Allen and others.  Also, caregiving services provided by FirstLight HomeCare and Oasis Hospice, particularly hospice nurse Lesa Bryan and chaplain Chip Borden.

Pallbearers include Bruce Hillegeist, Brian Hillegeist, Blake Hillegeist, Bryce Hillegeist, Dale Bruce, Daryl Bruce, Burke Froehlich, and Arleah Talbott.

For those wishing to make monetary donations in memory of Arleah, please consider Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries (TEAM), P. O. Box 286, Tomball, TX 77377-0286, or Salem Lutheran Church Missions, 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball, TX 77377.

The Hillegeist family gratefully acknowledges the tremendous outpouring of love and support from friends and community over the loss of Arleah and they rejoice with her as she has met her Savior Jesus face to face and is reunited with her husband, Roy and other relatives and friends who have gone before her.

The public is cordially invited to visit with the family between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, at Klein Funeral Home, 1400 W. Main, Tomball, 77375. If you wish to share your sympathies in-person with the Hillegeist family, please consider doing so at the visitation. Please note: face masks will be required for anyone entering the funeral home.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, at Salem Lutheran Church, 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball, 77377.  Interment will take place at Salem Lutheran Cemetery.

While you may wish to attend the funeral on Wednesday, please be aware that due to COVID-19 restrictions there is limited seating capacity and it will be difficult to welcome everyone to Salem.  The Hillegeist family will not be able to visit before or after the funeral service, so please consider viewing the funeral service online at https://livestream.com/salem rather than attending in person.

Arleah and Roy's Life Verse from Holy Scripture: Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose".

Job 19:25- "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth".