Lillian I. Hilgers

Lillian Irene (Goranson) Hilgers passed away, peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 98, on September 25, 2021, at Farmstead Care in Moorhead, MN.

Lillian was born October 26, 1922, on a farm near Lake Park, MN, to Hulda and Emil Goranson. She was baptized and confirmed at Eksjo Lutheran Church, attended country school through the 8th grade and high school in Hawley, MN, where she graduated in 1941. After school, she worked in a bakery and later as a bookkeeper at Hawley Creamery.

Lillian was united in marriage on July 17, 1945, to Wallace Hilgers (of Barnesville, MN) by Father Bisson, at Xavier Catholic Church in Lake Park. Lillie and Wally lived in Barnesville for two years before moving to Moorhead, where they lived the rest of their lives. After Wally's death in 2009, she moved to Farmstead Estates for seven years, then to Farmstead Care. She loved it at Farmstead and enjoyed getting to know new friends and visiting with all the residents.

Lillie and Wally were members of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead, since 1956. Lillie enjoyed helping at church where she was very active, including hospital and nursing home visitations. She was a life-long member of Catholic Daughters, helped out with the annual bazaar, served as a Eucharistic minister and on the prayer chain, which she was a part of until her death.

Lillie enjoyed many crafts, including rosemaling, painting landscapes, painting on towels, crocheting, and making many blankets for family and grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren will enjoy, for years to come, the many gifts received that were made by her and Wally. Family and friends also enjoyed her homemade buns, cinnamon rolls, donuts, and the numerous meals made by Lillie throughout the years! She loved playing cards and was even playing cards the day before she passed at Farmstead. She loved all kinds of games, music, dancing, and piano playing. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, relatives, and friends.

Lillie and Wally were blessed with eight children - first having six boys and then, two girls. They loved their time at Little Toad Lake and have so many good memories there, as well as the 57 years they lived in their home in Moorhead, enjoying time with family and friends.

Lillie is survived by her sons, Dennis (Gerri), Roseville, MN, James (Linda), Lake Mary, FL, Steven (Sharon), Fargo, ND, John (Carol), Burnsville, MN, and Gary (Terri), Annandale, MN; daughters, Jane, Moorhead, and Julie, Frazee, MN; daughter-in-law, Loree Hilgers, Woodbury, MN; grandchildren, DeAnne (Chris Sprung) Hilgers, Kathi (Kevin) Carver, Ben (Desiree) Hilgers, Leslie Hilgers, Patrick (Shelly) Hilgers, John (Lisa) Riddle, Sarah (Aaron) Greterman, Natalie (Mark Pilch) Hilgers, Andrea (Jess) Corcoran, Travis (Natalie) Hilgers, Tyler (Emily) Hilgers, Alyssa (Andrea) Kark, Nathan Kark, Melissa (John) Hickman, Ryan (Missy) Hilgers, Bria (Lee) Gustafson, Heather Hilgers, Justin Hanefeld; as well as 31 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends! Lillie is also survived by her sister, Lenora Holmgren, Lake Park; and her sister-in-law, Beverly Bales, Alexandria, MN.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Wally (2 days and 12 years before her death); her son, Curtis; her parents; sisters, Agnes and Ellen; and brother, Alf.

The family (as well as Lillie -- who wrote most of this obituary prior to her death) would like to thank the wonderful staff at Farmstead Care for their loving care, consideration and help in the last years! She truly appreciated all who lived and worked there and considered them all her family!

Visitation for Lillian will be Sunday, October 3, 2021, from 4-6 p.m., with a prayer service and sharing of memories at 6 pm, at Korsmo Funeral Chapel in Moorhead. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, October 4, 2021, at 11 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Moorhead.