Kathleen Hilsman

Kathleen 'Shorty' Hilsman, age 87 of New Hampton, Iowa died Sunday, April 24, 2016, at her home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 29, 2016, at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating the Mass. Lectors for the service will be Cindy Friedhof and Larry Geerts. Presenting the offertory gives will be Katie Rosonke, Caleb Rosonke and Mitch Rosonke. The I.C. Men's Choir will lead the congregation in song. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Hampton with Bob Weigel, Mike Weigel, Tom Schwickerath, Jim Schwickerath, Jim Lewis, Tim Lewis, John Schueller and Ronald Leichtman serving as pallbearers. Friends may greet the family 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 28, 2016, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday. Kathleen Christine “Shorty” Hilsman was born December 28, 1928, in New Hampton, IA, the daughter of Albert J. and Catherine (Laures) Schueller. She received her education in rural country school and the former St. Mary’s School in New Hampton. As a young girl, she worked at the former Powell’s Variety Store in New Hampton. While at a local dance she met her future husband, Lavern Hilsman. The two were united in marriage on September 28, 1950, at St. Mary’s Church in New Hampton. Together the couple farmed near North Washington until retiring in 1986 and moving into New Hampton. Shorty and Lavern enjoyed their Carville Cabin for over 20 years. They were always eager to entertain family and friends and just loved having company for a visit. They enjoyed fishing and playing cards until early morning with all their extended family. Shorty will be remembered by her family for her bread-making skills. Memberships include Holy Family Parish and Rosary Society. Survivors include one sister, Delores “Dolly” Schwickerath; sister-in-law, Claudia Schueller of New Hampton; brother-in-law, Virgil (Mary) Hilsman of New Hampton; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews; great-great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her father and mother-in-law, Peter (Mary) Hilsman; her husband, Lavern on February 14, 2010, four sisters, Sally (Harold) Weigel, Henrietta (Mike) Elenz, Marie (Lloyd) Leichtman, Genevieve (Dale) Lewis; three brothers, Clarence Schueller, Lawrence (Camilla) Schueller and Celeste Schueller in infancy; brother-in-law, Virgil Schwickerath and sister-in-law, Evelyn (Leo) Hoffman.