Gertrude Hilsenbeck

November 28, 1924 - March 8, 2019

Gertrude Hilsenbeck Jefferson, Iowa Date of Death: March 8, 2019 Funeral services for Gertrude Hilsenbeck, 94, of Jefferson, will be held at 11:00am Thursday, March 14, 2019 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, IA. Interment will be in the Jefferson Cemetery. The family will visit with friends at 10:00am Thursday, one hour prior to the funeral at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home. Gertrude Hilsenbeck was born November 28, 1924 at Clarksville, Iowa, the daughter of Jennie and Jake Mehmen. Gertrude died March 8, 2019 in Jefferson, Iowa at the age of 94 years. As a young woman, Gertrude worked at an egg factory. One day she wrote her name and phone number on some eggs. A young man, Charles Hilsenbeck, was home on leave from the Army and he happened to see the eggs with Gertrude’s name and phone number. The two met, and were married October 14, 1945. They lived in Bagley, Iowa and became the parents of seven children: Beverly, Mary, Chuck, Donna, Shirley, Duane and Linda. In 1955, Gertrude and Charles moved to the farm east of Bagley, Iowa. Gertrude loved raising chickens and rabbits. In 1976, following Charles’s retirement from farming, the couple moved to Jefferson, Iowa. They spent winters in their 5th wheel camper in Texas and Nevada until Charles could no longer drive. Gertrude and Charles were married for 63 years. Charles passed away in 2008. Gertrude loved to crochet, play cards, and garden. She listened to country music, went to garage sales, and spent time with her grandchildren. Gertrude was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; husband, Charles; daughter, Mary Thede; granddaughter, Sarah Thede; two great-great grandsons; and several nieces and nephews. Gertrude is survived by her children: Beverly Holloway of Jefferson, IA; Chuck (Jane) Hilsenbeck of Perry, IA; Donna Schmidt of Missouri; Shirley Jordan of Des Moines, IA; Duane (Sheila) Hilsenbeck of Ogden, IA; and Linda Devilbiss of Perry, IA. Gertrude has 21 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorials are suggested to the family. Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson