Mary Hilsman, 92
Mary Hilsman age 92 of New Hampton, IA died Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at Linn Haven Rehab & Healthcare in New Hampton.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2020, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, North Washington with Rev. Brian Dellaert celebrating the Mass. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, North Washington.
Friends may greet the family 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton where there will be a 4:00 p.m. rosary and a 6:30 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday. Online condolences for Mary's family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com 641-394-4334
Mary Hilsman was born on a farm near Lawler on Oct. 18, 1927, to Dan and Blanche (Finnegan) Sheridan. She was the oldest of the Sheridan’s four children, and she attended country school — probably walking “uphill both ways” through the eighth grade.
She met the love of her life, Virgil Hilsman, at a dance in Lawler, and the couple was married on Nov. 24, 1952, and the couple settled on a farm just north of North Washington. Mary helped her husband raise crops, tend to the chickens and milk cows; it was a true farm partnership.
She was an excellent cook, with a flair for baking. Her cookies were simply outstanding.
Virgil and Mary didn’t have any children, but they were proud of their nieces and nephews, and Mary appreciated their help over the years although they’re quick to point out that “you couldn’t get anything past her.”
Like her two sisters, she married a farmer from North Washington and was active in the parish life at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was a longtime member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and served as the group’s secretary for years.
Mary and Virgil were together all the time — they danced and although Mary wasn’t all that into cards, she knew Virgil enjoyed them, so she played — and it was heartbreaking for her when her husband of almost 65 years passed away in August 8, 2017.
Her health was good right up until the last few months, and she was from that generation that “did what they had to do and did it right.” Her family is appreciative that she is now at peace and reunited with Virgil.
Mary is survived by her sister, Alice Tiemessen of New Hampton, nieces and nephews, Mary Lee (LeRoy) Geerts of Charles City, Dale (Linda) Tiemessen, Roger (Laurie) Tiemessen, Connie Ellswick, all of New Hampton, Gary (Cindy DeWitt) Tiemessen of Bettendorf, Sandy (Mark) Cloud of Birmingham, AL; Jim (Dixie) Joebgen of New Hampton, Mary Starr of Elma, Doris (Harold) Baltes, Jeanette (Art) Onken, Mike (Tammy) Joebgen, all of New Hampton, Jeannie (Dean) Johnson of Mason City, Joannie (Chip) Hillesheim of Murphysboro, IL, Janell Norton of Dakota City, NE; many great-nieces and nephews; great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Virgil on August 8, 2017, her mother and father-in-law; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Hoffman, Kathleen “Shorty” Hilsman; brothers-in-law, Lavern Hilsman, Henry Joebgen, Ray Tiemessen, Leo Hoffman; sister, Margaret Joebgen; brother, Pat Sheridan; niece, Jackie Sheridan; nephew Mick Norton.
