Ruth A. Hilgendorf

Born to eternal life on September 15, 2018 at the age of 93. Ruth’s funeral will be held at Trinity-Freistadt in Mequon, on Monday September 24, 2018. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the service starting at 1 p.m. in the church, Pastor Carl Lehenbauer officiating. Interment will be immediately after the service with a luncheon following. Memorials will be given to Trinity-Freistadt Lutheran Church and School. Ruth A. Hilgendorf (nee Nicolaus) was born January 7, 1925 in Jackson, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Ida (Dallman) Nicolaus, her loving husband of 63 years, Orthwin Hilgendorf, her brother William, and a granddaughter Steffani Abegglen. Ruth is survived by her 6 children, William (Roberta), Betty Greif, Karen Harvot, Kathleen (Richard) Gesch, David (Julie), and Laureen (Terry) Eichelberger. Further survived by 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends. God blessed Ruth with a long life and she has been a blessing to many. Ruth loved her family, her garden and her Lord Jesus. She attended David Star Lutheran Church and School in Jackson as a child and graduated from Cedarburg High School. She and Orthwin married September 6, 1947, first living in Glendale, then moving to Mequon Road where they raised their 6 children. Ruth loved working in her bountiful garden, picking raspberries and working at Frenz’s Apple Orchard. The family was always involved at Trinity-Freistadt in Mequon. She would often start singing one of the many hymns she memorized as a young girl at David Star. The family want to thank Horizon Home Care and Hospice for their assistance. She could continue to live in her own home.