Aileen A. Billman

Aileen A. Billman, 80 of Saginaw, died Sunday, Oct. 11th at Essentia St. Mary’s with her family by her side.  Aileen was born Jan. 15, 1940 in Bruno, MN to Herman and Ida Bluemke.  She was raised in Bruno. She graduated from Willow River High School.  Aileen met, Donn Billman and they were married on Jan. 23, 1960.  Donn and Aileen started Billman Construction, Billman Home Center, Billman Rental, Billman Realty and a few other business adventures through their lifetime.

She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Twig; she had volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital; she enjoyed bowling, playing bridge and most of all, her farm, with the horses, cats, rescue animals and feeding her wild critters at the farm.  It was always a treat to watch the wild animals come out of the woods when they heard her machine come out to fill their feeders.  Seeing the deer eating out of one side as she was filling the other side was a common occurrence.  She enjoyed the ups and downs of watching the Minnesota Twins including being present at the 1991 World Series WIN in game 7 with her sister Gladys.

Raising three sons with a contractor as a husband is no easy feat.  Aileen did it with the elegance of a true Matriarch.  Her word was the gospel.  Her wishes were taken care of.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Ida; siblings, Gladys, Marvin, Melvin and Norman; her husband Donn and her son Michael.

Aileen is survived by her sons, Pat (Sheryl) and Gregg (Kim); daughter in law, Loretta,  grandchildren, Kari (Joe), Andrew, Matthew, Jennifer, Peter, Jacob (Amanda), Laura and Donn;  great grandchildren, Benjamin, Leif, Sophie, Marty, Brylee, Bentley and Aryia; and all her 'Babies' Stormy, Blue and Zip (horses), Black Jack (donkey), Sassy (mule), Kitty (dog), Ringo, Buffy, Miss Kitty, Tuffy, Muffy, Fluffy (cats).

Visitation will be Friday Oct. 16th from 5-7pm in the Dougherty Funeral Home, where visitation will continue Saturday from 11am to the Noon Celebration of Life.  Memorials are preferred and may be directed to Animal Allies, 4006 Airport Rd., Duluth, MN  55811. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2nd St. Duluth, MN, (218) 727-3555.