Beth Marie Bilger, longtime Newkirk resident, died Monday, Feb. 17, 2020 at her home. She was 76.

The daughter of George Edward Tietz and Christine Pauline (Smith) Tietz, Beth was born Feb. 5, 1944 in Yale, Okla. She grew up in Mehan, Okla., southeast of Stillwater and received her early education in the Ripley public school system, graduating from Ripley High School in 1962. Following high school she attended Oklahoma State University and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics in 1966.

On Jan.18, 1966 Beth and Garry Jake Bilger were married in the Methodist Church at Stillwater. They established their first home in Edmond where they lived for two years before moving to Newkirk in 1968.

In addition to enjoying her role of being a mom and homemaker, Beth’s work history includes teaching positions at Piedmont High School, St. Francis Catholic Elementary School in Newkirk, Ponca City Elementary School, and Blackwell Middle School and Elementary School. In 1997 she retired from teaching at Blackwell. In 1999 the couple began their business of Bilger Real Estate.

Beth was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Newkirk. She had served her church in many capacities over the years: past Board of Trustees Chair, Sunday School Teacher, past Council on Ministries Chair, Church Council Co-chair, a member of United Methodist Women, and the Susannah Circle. She was a member of P.E.O.; member and past president Newkirk Women’s League; and a member of the Newkirk American Legion Auxiliary. She was past president of the Newkirk Chamber of Commerce; and a Board Member of the University Center in Ponca City. While her children were young, Beth served as a soccer coach, Cub Scout Leader and Blue Bird Leader. Her special interests and hob-bies included sewing, cooking, refinishing furniture, and gardening.

She is survived by Garry, her husband of 54 years; their children, Scott and Pam Bilger of Bartlesville, Amy and Steven Johnson of Edmond, Neal and Kimberly Bilger of Edmond; her grandchildren, Jake Bilger, Jordan Bilger, Chandler Johnson, Catherine Johnson, Emma Johnson, Madelynn Bilger, Micah Bilger, and Hallie Bilger. She is also survived by her mother, Christine Tietz, of Mehan, Okla.; her siblings, a sister-in-law, Frieda Tietz of Ripley; her brother-in-law, Dick Boultinghouse of Royse City, Texas; a sister-in-law, Rusty Tietz of Oklahoma City; a brother and sister-in-law, Keith and Dot Tietz of Ripley, a sister and brother-in-law, Terri and Duane Stevens of Ardmore, a brother and sister-in-law, Chris and Denise Tietz of Stillwater, and a sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Jim Hart-grave of Edmond; 15 niec-es and nephews and their spouses; and numerous great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, George Tietz; a brother, George Tietz; a sister, Judy Boultinghouse; and a brother, Mack Tietz.

Services have been scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 in the First United Methodist Church of Newkirk with the Rev. Susan Rice officiating. Interment will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery. Miller-Stahl Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. There will be no viewing at any time.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Mrs. Bilger’s name to either Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, 445 Fairview Ave., Ponca City, Oklahoma 74601-1923 or to the First United Methodist Church, P. 0. Box 416, Newkirk, Oklahoma 74647-0416.