Theodora Lydia Hiett

Thea Hiett was born on September 12, 1932 in Groningen, Netherlands to Sibbeltje and Jan vanKomen. The 3rd of 11 children, she lived in Holland until she immigrated to the United States by herself at the age of 17. Thea was preceded in death by the love of her life, Glenn C. Hiett; her son, Ronald G Hiett; 2 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson, and her parents. Thea is survived by 5 of her 6 children: Richard (Mary) Hiett, Monika (Ron’s wife) Hiett, Susan (T.C.) Estes, Alisa (Bob) Brown, Roger (Bernay) Hiett and Teresa (Mike) Linder, 34 grandchildren and partners, 88 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. Thea met Glenn in Holland in 1950 while he was serving a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She desperately wanted to live in America and was sponsored by Estella Hiett (mother to Glenn) of Etna, CA. Estella gladly offered Thea a job in her restaurant at the Blake Hotel and 9 days after Glenn returned from his mission, on October 9, 1950 they were married. They were eventually sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City, Utah temple. Thea’s parents and 8 of her siblings later followed her to America. The things she treasured most in her life were her family, her faith and her husband. If you ever had the pleasure of visiting with her in her home, you know that she always had snacks on the table, food in the kitchen, kids in her yard and quilts on the sewing machine. All of her children, grandchildren and multiple others were wrapped in the love she sewed into those quilts. She willingly served everyone she came in contact with and fulfilled her calling as God’s hands on this earth. Thea loved to sing and instilled the love of music into all of her children. She insisted that all of them play an instrument, and her 3 daughters all learned to play the piano which has served them immensely in their lives. She loved spending time with Glenn in the mountains as long as she could hike and not be required to ride his horses. Cleanliness was literally next to godliness for her. Everyone knew it was safe to eat off the floors at Thea’s house and even when she camped in the mountains, she was meticulous and tidy. It was once said of her that she might be the only woman to constantly have to repaint her house because she scrubbed the paint off trying to keep it clean. Her beautifully manicured green lawn was the gathering place for many church activities, weddings, and late-night kick-the-can escapades for teenagers. For anyone she ever met, the beautiful white house at the end of the lane was a safe place to land and all were welcome. There are few in the valley who were not touched in some way by this special woman’s life as she truly made everything she touched more beautiful. Thea has left a large hole in our hearts and will be dearly missed. Thea will be laid to rest next to Glenn in Etna Cemetery at a private ceremony.

Theodora Lydia Hiett

September 12, 1932 - July 6, 2020