Virgil J. Hilsman dies at 90
Virgil J. Hilsman age 90 of New Hampton, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton. He died following a brief illness and was surrounded by his family.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, 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 – 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 11, 2017, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 4 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 Saturday. Online condolences for Virgil's family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com 641-394-4334Virgil Joseph Hilsman was born November 19, 1926 on the family farm, 3 miles northeast of North Washington. He was the youngest of the three children born to Peter and Mary (Zimmer) Hilsman. When Virgil was 6 years old, his father died leaving his mother and older siblings, Lavern and Evelyn to help on the family farm. He attended St. Mary’s School in North Washington through the eighth grade and then helped the family with all the chores. Through a neighbor and friend, Ray Tiemessen, who was dating a Lawler girl, Virgil met the love of his life, Mary Lynne Sheridan of Lawler. All three ‘Sheridan’ girls married ‘North Washington’ boys in 1952. Virgil and Mary were last to be married on November 24, 1952. The couple remained on the Hilsman farm where Virgil and Mary operated and milked cows for many years together. Vacations and time off were rare treats and the couple enjoyed playing cards and going to dances. While on the farm, they also took care of Virgil’s mother until her death. The couple moved into New Hampton in 2000.Virgil and Mary remained active in their parish where Virgil was a life-long member. He had served on the parish council, was a member of the Farm Bureau and a 75-plus year member of the Catholic Order of Foresters.Survivors include his wife, Mary Lynne of New Hampton; sister-in-law, 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, Ill., Janell (Mick) Norton of Dakota City, NE; many great-nieces and nephews; great-great nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, sister, Evelyn Hoffman; brother, Lavern Hilsman, sisters-in-law, Margaret Joebgen, Kathleen “Shorty” Hilsman; brothers-in-law, Pat Sheridan, Henry Joebgen, Ray Tiemessen, Leo Hoffman; niece, Jackie Sheridan.
