Marie Genevieve HilgersMay 14, 1923 - August 7, 2011 The death of Mrs. Marie Genevieve (nee Hinz) Hilgers of St. Mary's Villa, Humboldt, SK, (and formerly of Muenster, SK), occurred at her residence on Sunday, August 7, 2011. She was 88 years of age. Marie, the third oldest in a family of 16, was born on May 14, 1923, to Andrew and Aloysia (nee Nenzel) Hinz at home on their farm near Muenster. She grew up there and attended St. James Country School, south of Muenster. After completing Grade 8, Marie stayed home to help raise her younger siblings. She also worked for Ray Hilgers as a hired girl to assist with his ill wife, Josepha, and their daughter Jeanette. Marie had always dreamed of being a nurse, so went to New Westminster, BC, to work at the hospital until she could enrol in the nursing course. However, before starting the course she was summoned home to be part of a family picture before her brother, Fr. Leo left for the seminary at St. John's, Minnesota. Once at home, her brother Albert's wife Brigitta contracted tuberculosis, so Marie stayed to take care of her and her family until Brigitta's death. Marie was also diagnosed with tuberculosis and spent four months in the Saskatoon Sanatorium. She then returned to the family farm and was asked again to work for Ray Hilgers and his daughter Jeanette, since his wife Josepha was still very ill. After her death in 1949, Marie continued to care for Ray and Jeanette. Through that time of mutual respect, a special love developed between Marie and Ray, which culminated in their marriage on June 9, 1951, in St. Peter's R.C. Cathedral at Muenster. Marie, Ray and Jeanette continued to live in Muenster where their family grew to include two sons and another daughter, Kenn, Lloyd and Mary-Ellen. A dedicated homemaker, Marie excelled as a cook, baker, gardener, and seamstress, and was kept very busy raising a family of four, a vocation she loved. In addition, while her younger sisters were attending high school in Muenster, she provided them with room and board. After Marie's father died, she and Ray arranged for her mother to move into her own little house on their lot in Muenster. They continued to care for her for 18 years. In 1991, Marie and Ray relocated into Humboldt. On Monday, May 24, 1999, Marie lost the love of her life when Ray passed away in St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Humboldt. Marie continued to reside in their home until 2006, when she became a resident of St. Mary's Villa. Marie will be fondly remembered as a very outgoing and positive person with a gentle manner, and a warm and endearing smile which she shared with everyone. As well, she was a woman of extremely strong faith who had sincere consideration for others, extraordinary nurturing skills, and who always put the needs of others before her own. "Her life was one of caregiving." The words from Matthew 25:21, "Well done, good and faithful servant!", could easily be spoken of her. Marie will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her four children, seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren: Jeanette Pilson of Bolton, ON, and family, Joanne (Howard) and son Patrick, Kelly (Fred) and children Ryan, Tyler and Caitlyn, and Michael (Shari) and children Andrea, Liam and Taylor; Kenn (Catherine) Hilgers of Edmonton, AB; Lloyd (Cheryl) Hilgers of Toronto, ON, and family, Brennan and Kendra; and Mary-Ellen (Wayne) Chittick of Saskatoon, SK, and family, Jonathan and Joshua; two brothers and four sisters: Albert (Isabel) Hinz of Las Vegas, NV; Anne Recio of Wellsville, NY; Sr. Louise Hinz, OSU, of Brazil; Edwin (Michel) Hinz of Harrison Mills, BC; Lillian Hinz of Muenster, SK; and Sr. Denise Hinz, OSU, of Humboldt, SK; in-laws: Janina (David) Campbell of Kanata, ON; Dolores Hinz of Humboldt, SK; Sylvia Hinz of Saskatoon, SK; and John Teunissen of Winnipeg, MB; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Ray Hilgers (May 24, 1999); son-in-law, Fred Pilson; parents, Andrew and Aloysia (nee Nenzel) Hinz; three sisters and six brothers: Margaret (Joseph) Saretsky, Fr. Leo Hinz, OSB; Conrad (Lucy) Hinz, Harold Hinz, Joseph Hinz, Lawrence Hinz (in infancy), Wilfrid Hinz, Evelyn Hinz, and Agnes (Patrick) Enright; and by in-laws, Brigitta Hinz and Joaquin Recio. The Prayer Service for Marie was held at St. Peter's R.C. Cathedral, Muenster, on Thursday, August 11, 2011, at 7:30 p.m., led by Lillian Hinz. Scripture readers were Joshua Paré (grandson) and Cheryl Hilgers (daughter-in-law), and Kenn and Lloyd Hilgers (sons) delivered the eulogy. Music ministry was provided by organist Dolores Hinz. The Funeral Mass was offered at St. Peter's R.C. Cathedral on Friday, August 12, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., concelebrated by Fr. Daniel Muyres, OSB and Fr. Bernard Stauber, OSB. Others taking part were: Leo Saretsky (nephew), cross bearer; Emma Hinz and Shelby Engele, (altar servers); Dianne Anton (Goddaughter and niece) and Edwin Hinz (brother), scripture readers; Sr. Denise Hinz, OSU (sister), intentions and eucharistic minister; Jeanette Pilson (daughter) and Kelly (granddaughter), gift bearers. Honorary pallbearers were "all those who shared in Marie's life." Active pallbearers were Wayne Chittick, Jonathan Paré, Joshua Paré, Brennan Hilgers, George Hinz and Ron Hinz. Interment followed at St. Peter's R.C. Cemetery. Memorial donations may be directed to either the St. Peter's Cathedral Restoration Fund or the St. Mary's Villa Foundation. Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel, Humboldt, SK.
