Beth Ann Hilgendorf (nee Bielen), age 60, beloved wife of Joe Hilgendorf, of Tomahawk, departed this earth to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Dec. 1, 2020. Beth was born in Springfield, Minn., on April 20, 1960, to Ralph and Avona (Richert) Bielen. She survived cancer as an infant, but the treatments she received caused her medical issues throughout her life. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1978. She went on to earn a degree as a Lab Tech from Lakeland Dental and Medical Academy. She worked for St. Croix Regional Medical Center, and then Model Cities in St. Paul, and then worked for Stillwater Medical Group in Stillwater, Minn., for seven years.
On May 24, 1996 (some of you will recognize the date as it was used as a joke between Beth and Joe!), Beth married Joe Hilgendorf in Hudson, Wis., and moved with her adopted daughter Wendi to Tomahawk to be with Joe and his children Kacey, Jamie, and Dan. There, she worked for several years at Ministry Medical Center in Tomahawk and then did independent laboratory consulting from home for a few years until medical issues forced her to quit working.
Despite her chronic health conditions, Beth had the most upbeat, inspiring, cheerful personality that made her loved by everyone she met. She enjoyed her husband, children, and 13 grandchildren, and organizing family events like Camp Hilgy, Thanksgiving, and Christmas holidays, when all their children and grandchildren would be home. Some gentle teasing would go on, and she could give it as well as take it. She loved laughter, but also had a sober mindset. Her children often turned to her for chatting through issues that came up in their lives. She also enjoyed growing vegetables and beautifying her home with flowers, both inside and out. Their home was a home because Beth made it that way. Beth was also a “mom” to several church extension girls that stayed with her and Joe at times, and the girls and Beth have maintained that relationship via electronic devices and cards/letters and occasional visits. Beth and Joe are active members of Berean Baptist Church in Tomahawk.
Beth is survived by her husband, Joe, her beloved children Kacey and Keegan Olson of River Falls, Jamie and Nick Hallas of Rhinelander, Dan and Tracy Hilgendorf of Wausau, and Wendi Latzig; beloved grandchildren, Carter, Laila, and Levi Olson, Erustus, Torah, Isaiah, Faith, Eliana, and Ethan Hallas, Darwin and Brooks Hilgendorf, Isabele and Isaac Latzig; beloved mother Avona Bielen of Springfield, Minn.; beloved sisters Deborah and Kurt Jacobs of Cumberland, Wis., and Lisa Luedtke (Gail Pronschinski) of Hudson; beloved sister-in-law Cathy Bielen of Sioux Falls, S.D.; beloved father- and mother-in-law Joe and Mary Zahringer of Tomahawk, many nieces and nephews, and her beloved church family.
She was predeceased by her father Ralph and her brother Mark Bielen.
The Funeral Service for Beth Hilgendorf will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020 at Krueger Family Funeral Home, Tomahawk. Visitation took place on Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Augustine Cemetery, Harrison.
Krueger Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. You may view the full obituary and leave online condolences at www.kruegerfamilyfuneral.com.