In Memoriam

Several immediate family members, relatives, and close friends have passed away in the recent years, and I remember them on this page.

My Parents

My Mother, Paula Marie Berger Hilgendorf, passed away on August 17, 2000 in Santa Barbara, California. She was born in Forestville, Wisconsin . Because she came from a large family of ten children, where it was probably just not possible for her parents to support that many young adults, she left Forestville at the young age of 17 to earn her living in Milwaukee.   She worked as an office worker and bookkeeper for several Milwaukee companies.   Mom was a wonderful homemaker and loved her family dearly. She especially enjoyed entertaining family and friends for dinner, especially for the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter celebrations. She had a keen intelligence and especially enjoyed card games of all kinds. Her passion was duplicate bridge, and she was proud of the several hundred master points she had earned.

My Father, Elmer Carl Hilgendorf, passed away on January 19, 1998 in San Dimas, California. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He grew up in Seward, Nebraska and graduated from Concordia Teachers College in Seward. He taught parochial school in Milwaukee, where he met and married my Mother. He later graduated from Valparaiso University and worked for Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee. The family moved from Wisconsin to Pasadena, California in 1949, where he joined his Father in business. He worked as a hospital and retirement home administrator until he retired in 1966. He was active in the Pasadena Lions Club for over 45 years. He also served as the church organist at First Lutheran Chuch for a number of years.

Paula and Elmer Hilgendorf

My parents met in Milwaukee, WI. They married on November 3, 1937, and made Wauwatosa their home. Sons Don and Dan were born on October 24, 1939, daughter Jane was born on December 5, 1941, and daughter Judy was born on July 18, 1945. My parents were faithful members of First Lutheran Church of Pasadena for 50 years. In addition, they were active in a number of volunteer organizations in the Pasadena area. They delivered Meals on Wheels for many years. They were also active in the Active Retired Altadenans, participating in their many activities and serving as board members, . My Mother served on the board of the Altadena Welcome Wagon and my Father was a dedicated volunteer at the Altadena Public Library.

My Twin Brother Dan

My twin brother Dan Edward Hilgendorf passed away on July 7, 1987 in Memphis, Tennessee.   He was 47 years old.

Dan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 24, 1939. As twins, we grew up together as infants, in our elementary and high school educations, and in all outside activities and interests.   We had paper routes and both worked at the Alta Vista Hospital, administered by our father, during summer vacations from college.

Dan graduated from Valparaiso University in 1961 with a degree in Business Administration. Dan joined the Xerox Corporation in 1967. He was given office managerial responsibilities first in Pittsburg, then in Atlanta and Nashville He was promoted to the Xerox corporate headquarters in Rochester, New York. It was there that he was stricken by serious illness in 1977. He had been on disability retirement for about seven years prior to his death. He and Susan resided in Fort Meyers at the time of his death. They were visiting their daughter Michele in Memphis, celebrating the engagement of Miclele to Wayne Evans, when he suddenly passed away. Dan is buried in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Dan was a very dynamic person, a wonderful brother, a much loved husband and father, and I miss him very much.

Dan Hilgendorf and his wife Susan Bruene Hilgendorf. .Photo taken at their home in Fort Meyers, Florida Christmas 1986.

My Sister Jane

My sister Jane Alyce Hilgendorf passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2016. She was to meet me for Easter services at Lutheran Church of the Master in Corona del Mar, but never arrived. I was greatly concerned, since we talked on Friday, and she said she would be there. When I went to her home, her neighbors had already found her to be deceased. Her family is in shock for her untimely death. She was 74 years of age.

Jane was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 5, 1941. Her early years were spent in Wauwatosa, WI. Her elememtary education began in the Our Redeemer Lutheran School. The family moved to Pasadena, CA in 1949. There, she attended the elementary school at First Lutheran Church, then John Marshall Jr. High School, and Pasadena High School, graduating in 1959. She atternded Pasadena City College (AA degree in 1961) and then University of California at Santa Barbara, receiving a BS in Physical Education in 1963. She later received a MS in Physical Education from UCLA in 1967.

She began her carrerr in Physical Education at Arcadia (CA) High School. In 1970, she accepted a position in the school of Physical Education at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA. She remained at Orange Coast College until she retired in 2001.

This photo of Jane was taken when she was Athletic Director
at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA.

Jane had a very successful carrerr at Orange Coast College. She coached the women's volleyball team from 1973 to 1990, compliling a record of 233 wins and 100 losses. He teams won state championships in 1978, 1980, and 1982. She went on to become Dean of the Physical Educaiton Department and Athletic Director. The sports court at the Peterson Gymnasium is named the Jane Hilgendorf Court in her honor.

Jane bought her home in Corona del Mar in 1974, and lived there until her death. She loved her neighborhood and her neighbors. She was a long-time member at Newport Beach Country Club, her home away from home. Her love of golf began in high school and continued throughout her life. She was a faithful member at Lutheran Church of the Master in Corona del Mar.

My Aunts Gertrude Berger, Marge Zurstadt, and Clara Birnschein

My Aunt Gertrude Berger was my Mother's next oldest sister. Aunt Gert passed away on September 4, 2001 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.    She lived at Lutheran Manor at the time of her death. She was born in Forestville, Wisconsin. Aunt Gert, never married, worked as an office assistant at Badger Bearing in Milwaukee for many years. Like my Mother, Aunt Gert also left Forestville at a young age to earn her living in Milwaukee.
My Aunt Margaret Martha Berger Zurstadt was my Mother's next youngest sister. Aunt Marge passed away on March 8, 2000 in Rochester, Michigan. She also was born in Forestville, Wisconsin. Marge was primarily a homemaker. She and Uncle Jerry raised three daughters, Paula, Helen, and Mary. Even though we lived far apart, I did have the pleasure of spending time with Aunt Marge during vacations to the Midwest in 1988, 1991, and 1994.

Aunt Gert was our Berger family historian. She knew the names and birthdates of all our Berger family descendants beginning with her parents. Her good humor and positive outlook on life will be greatly missed.
I visited Aunt Gert in 1999 and again, with my sisters Jane and Judy, in August 2001, shortly before her death.

My Aunt Clara Birnschein was my Mother's youngest sister. Aunt Clara passed away on November 27, 2005 in Brookfield, Wisconsin. She was born in Forestville, Wisconsin. She and Uncle Harvey lived their entire married life of 67 years in their home on Longwood Avenue in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Aunt Clara was a homemaker. She did work later as a bus driver for the Elm Grove school system. Aunt Clara had a great sense of humor, and her laugh will be remembered.
I had the pleasure of attending Clara and Harvey's 50th wedding anniversary in 1988. That was the first time I had seen them for many years. Happily, after that, I was able to visit them a number of times on trips to Wisconsin. Jane, Judy, and I last visited Aunt Clara in May, 2004, when she was residing at the Franciscan Woods nursing home. She will be missed.

Clara Birnschein, Gertrude Berger, Marge Zurstadt, and Paula Hilgendorf (from left to right). This picture was taken at cousin Clyde Berger's condo in Egg Harbor (Door County), Wisconsin in October 1994.
This vacation in 1994 was especially memorable for me. I was the only nephew to accompany these four sisters to visit Pat and Clyde Berger at their condo in Egg Harbor. We all met in Algoma and spent the night there. After dinner, we took a night-time drive to Forestville, the town of their births. That was a very special time.

My Second Cousin Armin Gesswein

My second cousin once-removed Rev. Armin Gesswein passed away March 10, 2001 in Laguna Beach, CA, three days after suffering a massive stroke. Armin and his wife Reidun resided in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Armin was a Hilgendorf relative: his grandfather Wilhelm Hilgendorf and my great grandfather John Hilgendorf were brothers. He and I talked on the phone many times but did not meet personally until the Fall of 2000, when we met at the San Juan Hills Golf Course for nine holes of golf and conversation after. Armin did not want to ride a golf cart but preferred to walk so he could get his exercise. And there are some steep hills on the front nine of this golf course. We continued to meet about once a month and last met just two days before he suffered his stroke. On that last round he was his same self and was golfing as good as I had seen him golf. Armin died at the age of 93. He was truly an inspiration to me.

Armin had a great interest in family history and had many memories of Hilgendorf ancestors he had known when he was a student in Milwaukee. I was fortunate to benefit from his recollections of those long-ago days.

This is a recent photograph of Armin that was displayed at his memorial service. The twinkle in his eyes is a perfect reflection of the spirit which Armin exuded in life.
Armin was a Lutheran minister, but early in his ministry he went his own way. He founded serveral prayer and revival organizations and traveled the world in these activities. He met his wife Reidun in Norway on one of his evangelical revival trips. He was a very close associate of Billy Graham.

My Friend Warren Williams

My good friend Warren Williams passed away on March 23, 2000 in Irvine, California. He was born in Rensford, West Virginia and grew up in Cape May, New Jersey. Warren was a friend of mine for 32 years. We met at Ford Aerospace, where we were both employed. We enjoyed friendship and skiing and golf outings over those many years. I was an usher in his wedding on June 6, 1970. Warren was overcome by cancer, a disease he battled courageously and without complaint for six years. His positive outlook was an inspiration to all his friends. We miss his freindship, both on the golf course and in other activities of life. May he rest in peace.

Warren Williams with his wife Tina on the left and their friend Valerie Clements. This picture was taken New Years Eve, 1999.

My Friend Ray Gillett

I met my good friend Ray Gillett at the Racquet Club of Irvine. He was 75 years old when I met him. He was a morning regular at the club. Ray played tennis (usually singles) every weekday morning. On Saturdays he rode his bike, either alone or with a riding club. Ray survived both a by-pass operation and prostate cancer. He was one of the most positive, cheerful individuals I have ever met. He was an engineer with Hughes Aircraft and also had a very successful family business in the engineering area. Ray was a master of the spin shot on the tennis court. After he did you in with one of his cut shots, his usual comment, said with a laugh, was, "A younger man would have got that ball."
Ray was riding his bike alone when he either had an accident or suffered an attack. He was a careful rider, so I like to believe he had an attack. In any case, he was found later off the bike trail in a ditch. His neck was broken and he was paralyzed. After several days on a ventilator, his family ended herioc measures to save his life and he passed away. I lost a good friend.

His headstone inscription on the right, written by Ray himself, is both whimsical and joyful. It captures the spirit that was Ray.

NO ONE HERE
GONE HOME
There is no one nor could there ever be
another human on the face of this planet
more blessed than myself:
Salvation, a most wonderful family,
and blessings with ten thousand besides.

Thank you Lord God Almighty

Love you all, good-by for now,
see you soon.

Ray C. Gillett

Born August 28, 1921
Died June 7, 2000

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My Aunt Gertrude Berger was my Mother's next oldest sister. Aunt Gert passed away on September 4, 2001 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She lived at Lutheran Manor at the time of her death. She was born in Forestville, Wisconsin. Aunt Gert, never married, worked as an office assistant at Badger Bearing in Milwaukee for many years. Like my Mother, Aunt Gert also left Forestville at a young age to earn her living in Milwaukee.		My Aunt Margaret Martha Berger Zurstadt was my Mother's next youngest sister. Aunt Marge passed away on March 8, 2000 in Rochester, Michigan. She also was born in Forestville, Wisconsin. Marge was primarily a homemaker. She and Uncle Jerry raised three daughters, Paula, Helen, and Mary. Even though we lived far apart, I did have the pleasure of spending time with Aunt Marge during vacations to the Midwest in 1988, 1991, and 1994.
Aunt Gert was our Berger family historian. She knew the names and birthdates of all our Berger family descendants beginning with her parents. Her good humor and positive outlook on life will be greatly missed. I visited Aunt Gert in 1999 and again, with my sisters Jane and Judy, in August 2001, shortly before her death.
My Aunt Clara Birnschein was my Mother's youngest sister. Aunt Clara passed away on November 27, 2005 in Brookfield, Wisconsin. She was born in Forestville, Wisconsin. She and Uncle Harvey lived their entire married life of 67 years in their home on Longwood Avenue in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. Aunt Clara was a homemaker. She did work later as a bus driver for the Elm Grove school system. Aunt Clara had a great sense of humor, and her laugh will be remembered. I had the pleasure of attending Clara and Harvey's 50th wedding anniversary in 1988. That was the first time I had seen them for many years. Happily, after that, I was able to visit them a number of times on trips to Wisconsin. Jane, Judy, and I last visited Aunt Clara in May, 2004, when she was residing at the Franciscan Woods nursing home. She will be missed.		Clara Birnschein, Gertrude Berger, Marge Zurstadt, and Paula Hilgendorf (from left to right). This picture was taken at cousin Clyde Berger's condo in Egg Harbor (Door County), Wisconsin in October 1994. This vacation in 1994 was especially memorable for me. I was the only nephew to accompany these four sisters to visit Pat and Clyde Berger at their condo in Egg Harbor. We all met in Algoma and spent the night there. After dinner, we took a night-time drive to Forestville, the town of their births. That was a very special time.

My Mother, Paula Marie Berger Hilgendorf, passed away on August 17, 2000 in Santa Barbara, California. She was born in Forestville, Wisconsin . Because she came from a large family of ten children, where it was probably just not possible for her parents to support that many young adults, she left Forestville at the young age of 17 to earn her living in Milwaukee. She worked as an office worker and bookkeeper for several Milwaukee companies. Mom was a wonderful homemaker and loved her family dearly. She especially enjoyed entertaining family and friends for dinner, especially for the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter celebrations. She had a keen intelligence and especially enjoyed card games of all kinds. Her passion was duplicate bridge, and she was proud of the several hundred master points she had earned.				My Father, Elmer Carl Hilgendorf, passed away on January 19, 1998 in San Dimas, California. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He grew up in Seward, Nebraska and graduated from Concordia Teachers College in Seward. He taught parochial school in Milwaukee, where he met and married my Mother. He later graduated from Valparaiso University and worked for Allis Chalmers in Milwaukee. The family moved from Wisconsin to Pasadena, California in 1949, where he joined his Father in business. He worked as a hospital and retirement home administrator until he retired in 1966. He was active in the Pasadena Lions Club for over 45 years. He also served as the church organist at First Lutheran Chuch for a number of years.
		Paula and Elmer Hilgendorf

		My twin brother Dan Edward Hilgendorf passed away on July 7, 1987 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 47 years old. Dan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 24, 1939. As twins, we grew up together as infants, in our elementary and high school educations, and in all outside activities and interests. We had paper routes and both worked at the Alta Vista Hospital, administered by our father, during summer vacations from college. Dan graduated from Valparaiso University in 1961 with a degree in Business Administration. Dan joined the Xerox Corporation in 1967. He was given office managerial responsibilities first in Pittsburg, then in Atlanta and Nashville He was promoted to the Xerox corporate headquarters in Rochester, New York. It was there that he was stricken by serious illness in 1977. He had been on disability retirement for about seven years prior to his death. He and Susan resided in Fort Meyers at the time of his death. They were visiting their daughter Michele in Memphis, celebrating the engagement of Miclele to Wayne Evans, when he suddenly passed away. Dan is buried in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Dan was a very dynamic person, a wonderful brother, a much loved husband and father, and I miss him very much.
Dan Hilgendorf and his wife Susan Bruene Hilgendorf. .Photo taken at their home in Fort Meyers, Florida Christmas 1986.

		My sister Jane Alyce Hilgendorf passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2016. She was to meet me for Easter services at Lutheran Church of the Master in Corona del Mar, but never arrived. I was greatly concerned, since we talked on Friday, and she said she would be there. When I went to her home, her neighbors had already found her to be deceased. Her family is in shock for her untimely death. She was 74 years of age. Jane was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 5, 1941. Her early years were spent in Wauwatosa, WI. Her elememtary education began in the Our Redeemer Lutheran School. The family moved to Pasadena, CA in 1949. There, she attended the elementary school at First Lutheran Church, then John Marshall Jr. High School, and Pasadena High School, graduating in 1959. She atternded Pasadena City College (AA degree in 1961) and then University of California at Santa Barbara, receiving a BS in Physical Education in 1963. She later received a MS in Physical Education from UCLA in 1967. She began her carrerr in Physical Education at Arcadia (CA) High School. In 1970, she accepted a position in the school of Physical Education at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA. She remained at Orange Coast College until she retired in 2001.
This photo of Jane was taken when she was Athletic Director at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA.		Jane had a very successful carrerr at Orange Coast College. She coached the women's volleyball team from 1973 to 1990, compliling a record of 233 wins and 100 losses. He teams won state championships in 1978, 1980, and 1982. She went on to become Dean of the Physical Educaiton Department and Athletic Director. The sports court at the Peterson Gymnasium is named the Jane Hilgendorf Court in her honor.
		Jane bought her home in Corona del Mar in 1974, and lived there until her death. She loved her neighborhood and her neighbors. She was a long-time member at Newport Beach Country Club, her home away from home. Her love of golf began in high school and continued throughout her life. She was a faithful member at Lutheran Church of the Master in Corona del Mar.

		My second cousin once-removed Rev. Armin Gesswein passed away March 10, 2001 in Laguna Beach, CA, three days after suffering a massive stroke. Armin and his wife Reidun resided in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Armin was a Hilgendorf relative: his grandfather Wilhelm Hilgendorf and my great grandfather John Hilgendorf were brothers. He and I talked on the phone many times but did not meet personally until the Fall of 2000, when we met at the San Juan Hills Golf Course for nine holes of golf and conversation after. Armin did not want to ride a golf cart but preferred to walk so he could get his exercise. And there are some steep hills on the front nine of this golf course. We continued to meet about once a month and last met just two days before he suffered his stroke. On that last round he was his same self and was golfing as good as I had seen him golf. Armin died at the age of 93. He was truly an inspiration to me. Armin had a great interest in family history and had many memories of Hilgendorf ancestors he had known when he was a student in Milwaukee. I was fortunate to benefit from his recollections of those long-ago days.
This is a recent photograph of Armin that was displayed at his memorial service. The twinkle in his eyes is a perfect reflection of the spirit which Armin exuded in life.		Armin was a Lutheran minister, but early in his ministry he went his own way. He founded serveral prayer and revival organizations and traveled the world in these activities. He met his wife Reidun in Norway on one of his evangelical revival trips. He was a very close associate of Billy Graham.

		My good friend Warren Williams passed away on March 23, 2000 in Irvine, California. He was born in Rensford, West Virginia and grew up in Cape May, New Jersey. Warren was a friend of mine for 32 years. We met at Ford Aerospace, where we were both employed. We enjoyed friendship and skiing and golf outings over those many years. I was an usher in his wedding on June 6, 1970. Warren was overcome by cancer, a disease he battled courageously and without complaint for six years. His positive outlook was an inspiration to all his friends. We miss his freindship, both on the golf course and in other activities of life. May he rest in peace.
Warren Williams with his wife Tina on the left and their friend Valerie Clements. This picture was taken New Years Eve, 1999.