Priscilla Hilgemann

Priscilla Hilgemann, 100, of Elgin, Iowa died Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 at Maple Crest Manor in Fayette, Iowa.

Priscilla was born to John and Karen (Waage) Nelson on Nov. 17, 1917 in Mobridge, S.D. 

She was baptized on Thanksgiving Day in the Lutheran Church.  

Her parents homesteaded near Thunderhawk, S.D., then moved to the nearby town of Mobridge, later moving to Aberdeen, S.D., and finally settling in Bath, S.D.  

She was confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, graduated from Bath High School in 1936, and attended Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen.  

In South Dakota she taught elementary school in the North Webster Country School, in Leola, and Mitchell. She completed her B.A. in elementary education in 1946 from Colorado State College of Education, Greeley, Colo.

Priscilla was united in marriage with Ernest William "Bud" Hilgemann Jr. in Minneapolis, Minn., on Sept. 21, 1946. To this union five children were born, Karen, Robert, Donald, Marie and David.  

She was a dedicated mother and homemaker, nurturing her family while encouraging and being supportive of her husband as he pursued his careers as an attorney in Leola, S.D., a banker in Clermont, IA (1950), as a seminary student in Dubuque, IA (1956), and a minister in Talmage, Neb., (1959). 

In 1961, the Hilgemann family settled in Elgin, IA, where she assisted in her husband's law office after the children had grown. Priscilla made the family at home in each community. She also assisted daughter Marie in her fabric studio/shop in New York City. 

She was an avid gardener and quilter.  She enjoyed baking bread, playing the piano, health foods, sewing and arts.  

As a member of Elgin Lutheran Church, she affirmed her faith through teaching Sunday School and Bible studies, and sewing banners for the church.

Survivors include daughter Karen of Elgin; sons Robert (Amy Hilgemann) of St. Louis, Mo., Donald (Christiane Baud) of Dallas, Texas, David (Sandy Sutton) of Cedar Falls, IA; and grandsons Marshall Hilgemann of St. Paul, Minn., and Louis Hilgemann of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, who died in a tornado in June 1944; husband Ernest W. Hilgemann in April 1978; and daughter Marie Hilgemann of New York City in Sept. 1989. 

Priscilla gave thanks for each new day.  She was grateful for a community of caring friends and neighbors.

Funeral Service was held Friday, Aug. 31. 2018 at Elgin Lutheran Church, Elgin, Iowa with Rev. David Coffin as the officiant.

Burial followed at Elgin Cemetery, Elgin, Iowa.

Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa helped the family with arrangements.

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