Racine – Herman Joseph Hilgers, age 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by four generations of family on March 5, 2015. He was born in Racine on October 7, 1920, son of the late Joseph and Margaret (nee: Rothering) Hilgers.
Following his father’s footsteps who served in WWI, Herman served in the Army in WWII, and later his brother Eugene served in Korea. After returning home from the South Pacific he later met the love of his life, Maydelle Ann Jolivette, at a local establishment they both frequented. Herman asked her to dance, which would be the first dance of many to come. They were wed on August 3, 1957.
Herman and Mae owned and operated Hilgers West Racine Citgo for 28 years.After Herman retired in 1990, they expanded their travel adventures visiting Venezuela, Costa Rica, Mexico, Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Ireland, Scotland, England, Canada and almost the entire United States. Herman’s favorite trip was the African safari.
Athletically gifted, he was an avid basketball and baseball player and championship bowler, later using those skills to coach his own children’s youth athletics.Herman enjoyed hosting his neighbors and family playing cribbage, pool, camping and various holiday celebrations. He was often found in his woodworking room making flower boxes for his wife’s garden, Christmas decorations for their lawn, and dollhouses and rocking horses for his grandchildren. He was known for waking his children and grandchildren up with the smell of bacon and Denver omelets on Sunday mornings. He often jumped in the pool with all of his hammerheads (grandchildren) cheering while wearing his floppy hat. As each family would leave he walked them out, would follow them to the bottom of the driveway and wave until they turned the corner always saying; ‘Be Careful’, ‘Don’t speed’. As a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, his love and passion for life will forever live on through the hearts of his family.
Herman is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Mae Hilgers; five children: Mary Lou Hilgers, Tom (Kim) Hilgers, Kathy (Ron) Deverney, Dennis (Chris Freeman) Hilgers, and Bob (Tina Olson) Hilgers. He is also survived and celebrated by his sixteen grandchildren; Gidget, David, Matt, Mary, Michelle, Catherine, Tiffany, Sarah, Jennifer, Amber, Adam, Brad, Lisa, Tiffany, Kayla and Amanda; his eighteen great-grandchildren; his sisters-in-law: Martha Hilgers, Geraldine Brown, and Mary Lou Vitto; as well as many other relatives and friends. He was also preceded in death by his brothers and sister-in-law: Joseph (Rose Mary) Hilgers and Eugene Hilgers.
Friends are invited to visit with the family in the funeral home on Saturday, March 14, 2015 from 4pm – 5pm, followed by his memorial service with Rev. Terry Peterson officiating. The service will conclude with military honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Becker-Shoop Center, or Hospice Alliance.
The Hilgers family extends genuine thanks to the staff at Becker-Shoop and Hospice Alliance for the special care given to Herman and all of his family
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