Obituary for Elfriede Elise Hillmann
Elfriede Elise Hillmann, 96, of Greeley passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019 at The Bridge in Greeley. She was born November 28, 1922 in Holzhausen, Germany to Ernest and Martha (George) Siegmund.
She met her husband, Friedrich Dietrich Hillmann, a German, who had immigrated to the U.S. and then drafted into the U.S. Army. He served during World War II and after the war, walking through Elfriede’s village, they struck up a conversation. He would later bring her to the United States in 1947 as a war bride and they married on June 15, 1947 in Bergenfield, NJ.
They moved from New Jersey to Wauneta, NE where they farmed and later moved to McDonald, KS. In 1953 they relocated to Nunn, CO, moving into Greeley in 1993.
At the young age of 14, Elfriede enrolled in a German cooking school, Hotel Sophienhof, where she learned an art for cooking and baking. She carried that throughout her life, making wonderful meals for family and friends. She also enjoyed her green thumb in her vegetable garden, harvesting wild asparagus, beans and strawberries. She was also a helper on the farm, alongside her husband, driving tractors and milking.
She loved Classical music, reading, writing wonderful poetry and keeping up with current events. She volunteered with RSVP, Catholic Charities and previously attended Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Greeley and Faith Lutheran Church in Eaton. Family time was most important, celebrating with parties and picnics.
Thankful to have shared her life are her three daughters; Barbara (Joe) Fehr of Emporia, KS, Ingrid Gardner and Heide Hillmann (DeAnn George) all of Greeley, five grandchildren; Danielle Bratton, Sarah Malcolm, Susan Graham, Karl Rusch and Stacy Regehr; 16 great-grandchildren; grand godchild, Madeline; sister, Hildegard Sacher of Germany and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Berta Engle and son-in-law, Herbert Gardner.
Life Celebration Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2019 at Adamson with a luncheon to follow. Memorial gifts may be made to “Pathways Hospice” or “Weld County Humane Society” in care of Adamson, 2000 47th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80634. Friends may leave condolences at AdamsonCares.com.
She met her husband, Friedrich Dietrich Hillmann, a German, who had immigrated to the U.S. and then drafted into the U.S. Army. He served during World War II and after the war, walking through Elfriede’s village, they struck up a conversation. He would later bring her to the United States in 1947 as a war bride and they married on June 15, 1947 in Bergenfield, NJ.
They moved from New Jersey to Wauneta, NE where they farmed and later moved to McDonald, KS. In 1953 they relocated to Nunn, CO, moving into Greeley in 1993.
At the young age of 14, Elfriede enrolled in a German cooking school, Hotel Sophienhof, where she learned an art for cooking and baking. She carried that throughout her life, making wonderful meals for family and friends. She also enjoyed her green thumb in her vegetable garden, harvesting wild asparagus, beans and strawberries. She was also a helper on the farm, alongside her husband, driving tractors and milking.
She loved Classical music, reading, writing wonderful poetry and keeping up with current events. She volunteered with RSVP, Catholic Charities and previously attended Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Greeley and Faith Lutheran Church in Eaton. Family time was most important, celebrating with parties and picnics.
Thankful to have shared her life are her three daughters; Barbara (Joe) Fehr of Emporia, KS, Ingrid Gardner and Heide Hillmann (DeAnn George) all of Greeley, five grandchildren; Danielle Bratton, Sarah Malcolm, Susan Graham, Karl Rusch and Stacy Regehr; 16 great-grandchildren; grand godchild, Madeline; sister, Hildegard Sacher of Germany and nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Berta Engle and son-in-law, Herbert Gardner.
Life Celebration Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2019 at Adamson with a luncheon to follow. Memorial gifts may be made to “Pathways Hospice” or “Weld County Humane Society” in care of Adamson, 2000 47th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80634. Friends may leave condolences at AdamsonCares.com.