Hillrichs, Cornelia "Connie" 1932-2008

HILLRICHS, ANDERSON, KEEHN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/29/2008 at 10:57:23

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 29, 2008

Cornelia "Connie" Hillrichs, 76, of Le Mars, died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008, at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City.

Cornelia Mae Hillrichs was born July 11, 1932 in Omaha, Neb., the daughter of Nelle (Anderson) Keehn. Connie was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. She was raised in southeastern South Dakota and attended country school. Later in life, Connie completed her GED.

Connie was united in marriage to Lowell Hillrichs Nov. 28, 1952, near Hawarden. Connie and Lowell lived and farmed in Plymouth and Sioux Counties until they retired from farming and moved to Craig in 1976.

Connie worked for more than 18 years at the Le Mars Daily Sentinel and in 1991, she studied and received her real estate license. She later established Gold Key Realty. In 1998, she moved to Le Mars and worked as the office manager for Build Smart Inc.

Connie and Lowell were members of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Craig where she taught Sunday School and was a member of Mary Circle. Connie was instrumental in establishing and publishing the church newsletter, "The Behold." When she moved to Le Mars, she began attending St. John's Lutheran Church, E.L.C.A. Throughout her life, Connie was always very dedicated to her faith in the Lord.

Connie was a very talented woman. She enjoyed woodworking, writing short stories and poems, and tending to her flowers. As her grandchildren grew up, she enjoyed attending baseball and softball games and other activities. She was a very devoted wife and mother.

Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Harlan Prieksat of Sioux City; two grandchildren, Matthew and Rachel of Sioux City; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Ivagene and Robert Branstiter of Abbotsford, Wis., and Marjane and Richard Burgard of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and several nieces and nephews.

Connie was preceded in death by her mother, Nelle (Anderson) Keehn; her husband, Lowell Hillrichs in May 1998; a son, Mark Hillrichs in 1973; and a sister, Deborah Keehn.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Craig, with the Rev. Barb Hansen and Marcia Young, AiM officiating. Interment will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery, rural Le Mars. Visitations will be after 3 p.m. today (Monday) at the Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the family present after 5 p.m. to greet friends, followed by a 6:30 p.m. prayer service. Visitation will continue Tuesday morning at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Pallbearers will be David Stevens, Kirk Hillrichs, Randy Hillrichs, Leroy Punt, Fred Schiefen, and Jim Batchelder.