Henrietta Frances Ruef Dill passed away on Feb.11, 2024. She was born on Dec. 31, 1943 in Silverton, Oregon to Placidus and Anna Marie Ruef.
Henri, as she like to be called, was born with deformed legs. The doctors said that she would never walk or have children and should be institutionalized, but her mother decided what was best and took her home. It was the love and support of her family that gave her the “can-do” attitude to succeed in life.
Henri was raised on a farm in Mount Angel on “Ruef Lane” and spent a lot of time at Shriners Hospital for Children, receiving her first pair of artificial legs from them. This allowed her to walk and it opened up the many possibilities that she would realize in her future.
Henri was studying journalism at Seattle University in 1964 when she met Ernest Dill on a Greyhound bus. They exchanged phone numbers and about six months later they were married on Dec. 26, 1964 at St. Mary’s Church in Mount Angel.
In 1965, Herni left college and joined Ernie on their 20 year military career. During this time, they raised a family of five children and lived in three countries and many states. Henri also formed a company called “Angel Press” and published magazines at the various military bases where they were stationed.She was also published in a book titled The Synergists which catapulted her motivational speaking career.
In 1984, Henri and Ernie moved back to Oregon and opened Engelberg Antiks in Mount Angel. The next year they opened Engelberg Antiks II in downtown Salem. Henri created and successfully operated Engelberg Antiks II for the next 35+ years.
In 2006, Henri and Ernie decided to replace the Engelberg Antiks building in Mount Angel with the “Edelweiss Village,” a mix of low-income housing and commercial properties. This dream came true with the help of many community members. Henri had a vision to preserve Mount Angel’s heritage by including its now famous Glockenspiel tower. She absolutely loved the Mount Angel community and was deeply involved in many of the town’s organizations and had a significant impact.
Henri will be missed by her children, Lori (Randy) of Mount Angel, Bryant (Pamela) Dill of DuPont Way, Washington, Lena Dill of Mount Angel and Traci (Tony) Buller of Silverton; grandsons, Jonathan, William and Alex Lathrop; granddaughter, Miki Dill; grandsons, Kyle Dill, and Brogan, Dalton, and Grayson Buller; and her brother, Max (Marlene), along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Clem (Maria) and Pete (Jean); sisters, Marie and Gloria; her son, Henry (Hank); grandsons, Thomas and Taylor Lathrop; and her husband, Ernie.
Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Feb. 20. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
