Patricia Ann Hilgers Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. Her lamp does not go out at night. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” (Selected verses from Chapter 31 of Proverbs, English Standard Version). On the morning of Tuesday, May 17th, beloved wife and mother, Patricia Hilgers, left the shores of this earth after 85 years to be with her Lord and Savior, dying peacefully in her sleep in her home in Rolla, Missouri. Patricia Ann Hertlein was born in 1936 to Edwin and Irene (Mesko) Hertlein in Cuba, Missouri. She was the eldest sibling to her brother Edwin Hertlein Jr. and two sisters Joyce Budt and Linda Meierhoff. After graduating high school in Cuba, she went to the Lutheran School of Nursing in South St Louis to begin a career as a registered nurse. However, it was a St. James boy back home, Donald Eugene Hilgers, who captured Patricia eye... and heart. They celebrated Holy Matrimony on May 26, 1957. Patricia gave birth to their first son Michael Gene Hilgers on Easter Sunday 1962 in Kansas City MO. To devote more time to being a wife and mother, she retired from her RN job to be what we call today a “stay-at-home mother”. Seven years later while living in Canton OH, Patricia bore Jeffrey Eric Hilgers on George Washington’s birthday. In their lives together Pat and Don lived in Fishkill NY, Kansas City MO, Canton OH, San Jose CA, Springfield MO, San Francisco CA, St. Louis MO, and retired to Rolla MO. Don, a lifetime employee, often quipped that IBM stood for “I’ve Been Moved”. In 2003, Patricia had a stroke in the speech center of her brain leaving her with expressive and receptive aphasia. In the blink of an eye, she went from the head of fellowship at Church, to having difficulty saying the names of her sons. The next 19 years where hard for her, but she overcame. The door of her home remained open, her table was still full of guests, and spare beds were ready to accommodate friends, family, and those soon-to-be friends. This “stay-at-home” mom had a passion for traveling and camping that would take her to 49 of the 50 states. She collected rocks and gemstones, pitched tents, cooked over Coleman stoves, sailed the boundary waters on houseboats, hiked in the Seaira Nevada Mountains, rode on Harleys, operated tractors, and helped build a home with one-ton logs. During quiet times she enjoyed private Bible study, reading historical fiction, and needlework. Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 10:00 am with the funeral to follow at 11:00 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rolla, MO. Those wishing to donate in her name, please contribute to the Lutheran Student Fellowship in care of Immanuel Lutheran Church, 801 W 11th St, Rolla, MO 65401.

Patricia Ann Hilgers

August 27, 1936 - May 17, 2022

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