Wallace E. Hilgers

Wallace Edward Hilgers of Moorhead, MN, died at the age of 88 on Wednesday September 23, 2009, at Innovis Hospital in Fargo, ND. He was surrounded by his immediate family and died peacefully.

One minute after his death, two eagles flew over the hospital, symbolizing his spirit was blessed.
Wally enjoyed 64 years of marriage with his wife Lillian and was blessed with 8 children, 19 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Wally grew up on a farm near Barnesville, MN. In 1945 he married Lillian Goranson of Hawley, MN. They began their marriage in a small apartment in north Moorhead. In 1957 they moved to south Moorhead and built their first and only house. Wally joined Red Owl in 1949 and drove semi-trucks for 38 years, logging over 3 million miles, retiring in 1985 at age 64.

Wally was a life-long Catholic and was very active at St. Joseph Church. He also served as their first Eucharistic Minister. Wally was concerned about serving communion with his rough, hard-working hands, but the priest wanted him to serve the Lord regardless. Wally was proud to send all 8 children to St. Francis and St Joseph's Catholic Schools. He and Lillie set a fine example for their family and many others by attending church every Sunday, whether at home or at their cabin. The love they have shown to each other has always been a beacon to their children and those around them.

Wally was a member of Teamsters Local #116 and he and Lillie were regular attendees at the Teamsters Hall for Saturday Night Bingo and dancing. They have always enjoyed large groups of family and friends. They were a gregarious couple serving an unbelievable number of meals and drinks at their home and cabin.

Wally loved spending summers at their cabin at Little Toad Lake, telling jokes, playing cards and fishing. He enjoyed deer hunting with his Red Owl buddies and his family for over 50 years.

Survivors: His wife, Lillian of Moorhead; Son, Dennis (Gerri) of Roseville, MN; Grandchild, DeAnne (Christopher Sprung); Great Grandchildren, Mike & Jack; Grandchild, Kathi; Great Grandchildren, Kristi & Kelli Delaney.

Son, Jim (Linda) of Fargo; Grandchildren, Leslie, Ben (Desiree), Patrick (Shilo); and Great Grandchild Alex.

Son, Steven (Sharon) of Fargo, Grandchild, John (Justice) Riddle; Great Grandchildren, Tatum & Hayden; Grandchild, Sarah; Grandchild, Natalie(Tyrone) Singman; and Great Grandchild, Sophia.

Son, Curt (Loree) of Burnsville, MN; Grandchild Andrea (Jess) Corcoran; Great Grandchildren, Jacob, Kylie & Olivia; Grandchildren, Travis & Tyler; Grandchildren, Nathan & Alyssa Kark.

Son, John (Carol) of Burnsville; Grandchild, Melissa (John) Hickman; Great Grandchild Siena; Grandchild Ryan (Missy).
Son, Gary (Terri) of Burnsville; Grandchildren, Bria & Heather.
Daughter, Jane (Brian) Pfitzinger of Horicon, WI; Grandchildren, Justin Hanefeld & Brandon Pftizinger.
Daughter, Julie (Todd) Kraft of Dallas, TX.


A brother, Bernard; three sisters, Frances Swanson, Glenny Schindler and Beverly Bales. He also leaves one Brother-In-Law Alf (Darlene) Goranson, and sisters-In-law, Ellen Speer and Lenora Holmgren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Theresa; brothers, Robert & Jerome; and sisters Margaret Fritzke, Coletta Christiansen & Ellen Peterson.
Visitation will be Friday Sep 25th from 4:00 - 7:00pm, with a prayer service at 7:00pm, at Korsmo Funeral Chapel, 409 - 8th Street South, Moorhead.

The funeral Mass will be Saturday Sep 26th at 10:00 am with visitation at 9:0