HILDAHL, Kermit Julian 1928-2010

RONNEI, HILDAHL, EGGIMANN, DEWEY, MC CULLOUGH, WILEY

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 3/12/2010 at 20:02:04

Kermit Julian Hildahl, 81, passed to the next life Saturday, Feb. 13, after a long battle with cancer.

A Memorial Service will be held in March.

Mr. Hildahl was born to Selmer and Hensena Ronnei Hildahl on the family farm in Chickasaw County, Iowa, March 7, 1928. He married Erma Elizabeth Eggimann in 1958.

Mr. Hildahl attended school in a one-room school house through eighth grade, when he had to quit to help on the family farm. He was drafted into the Army in 1950. He served in Korea, was wounded and was awarded the Purple Heart.

In spite of his limited education, Mr. Hildahl passed his college entrance examinations. He earned a Bachelor of Agricultural Education and later a Master’s of Science in Horticulture from Iowa State University in Ames. He was a member of Gamma Sigma Delta Agriculture Honor Society.

Mr. Hildahl worked most of his life in the University Extension system. He was a youth specialist in Iowa. After earning his master’s degree, he moved his family to Hannibal in 1976 and became the University of Missouri Extension horticulture specialist. Local gardeners may remember the helpful information he provided in radio and television sports, newspaper articles, his newsletter and hundreds of patiently answered phone calls.

He retired in 1993, but continued to consult and help with any plant question he was asked. He judged vegetables at both the Iowa and Missouri state fairs as well as numerous county fairs.

Mr. Hildahl believed that if you want to live in a good community, you’ve got to be a part of making that community a good place to live. He was a member of the Mark Twain Chorale for more than 30 years, was active in Hannibal Community Theatre and was a faithful Rotarian. Mr. Hildahl taught Master Gardener classes, and the beautiful garden in downtown Hannibal was dedicated to him by the Master Gardeners.

Mr. Hildahl showed his dedication to young people by being a 4-H leader, Sunday school teacher and superintendent and by teaching Lutheran confirmation classes. He also enjoyed being a reader at Oakwood School, Veterans School and Wee Care Daycare.

Many children and adults enjoyed Mr. Hildahl’s portrayal of the Spirit of St. Nicholas, a program much requested by groups of Christmastime. Mr. Hildahl served as a lay minister to several small area churches. He was an elder emeritus, a member of the choir, and a leader during the “Children’s Moments” part of the worship service of First Christian Church DOC in Hannibal.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church (DOC) Youth Activities Fund, American Cancer Society, or Public Broadcasting Station WQUB of Quicy, in care of Smith Funeral Home & Chapel.

Survivors include his wife Erma, children and grandchildren, Kirsten (Jim) Hildahl-Dewey, their son Paul (Andrea) all of Hannibal and daughter Meagan, Bowling Green; Heidi (Ed) McCullough and son Karsten, Kansas City, Mo. and Todd (Beth) Hildahl and daughter Kaleigh, Columbia, Mo.; three great-grandchildren; his sister, Orla (Ray) Wiley and brother Spencer (Franci) Hildahl and five nieces and nephews.

Source: New Hampton Tribune - 18 February 2010