Hilda Marie “Beau” Griest

Last Updated on June 21, 2026 by Cass County Communication Network

Hilda Marie (Beau) Griest, 73, Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Stillwater Hospice in Fort Wayne.

Born November 22, 1952, in Peru, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Harold Alvin and Geneva Agnes (Hinkle) Griest.

She moved to Fort Wayne shortly after graduating high school and quickly found her place at several automotive dealerships. What began as a young woman’s first job in the 1970s grew into a lifelong career. She spent decades serving as a Service Writer for Fort Wayne BMW. When she retired from Kelley Automotive Group BMW of Fort Wayne, she did so with the same quiet dedication and work ethic that had defined her from the very beginning.

Hilda persevered through life with a steadiness that never wavered, meeting every season, the easy ones and the hard ones, with the same quiet strength.

Survived by her brothers, Larry (Marquita) Griest, of Indianapolis and Marvin (Lois) Griest, of Lewisburg; sister, Doris Byers, of Logansport; nephew, Roger Knebel and nieces, Susan (Eric) Vontobel and Cynthia (Scott) Voegele.

She was preceded in death by brother-in-law, Arnold Knebel and Eldon Byers; sister-in-law, Patricia Griest and nephew, Robert “Rob” Knebel.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 1 p.m. at Fisher Funeral Chapel with Doug Thomas officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Burial will follow in Bethlehem United Methodist Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Hilda’s memory to American Cancer Society or your favorite charity of choice.

You may share memories and offer words of comfort on Hilda’s Tribute Wall at www.fisherfuneralchapel.com.