Hilker, Luella Dorothy

Other Events:

• Religion: Aft 30 Jan 1901
• 1910 Census: 1910
• Education - Other: 1922
• Occupation: Bef 25 May 1978; Home Maker
• Family History Researcher: Aft 25 May 1978

Notes:

Residence:
Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Residence:
Lived w/ Pat & Jim at end of life

Religion:
E.U.B., Methodist

1910 Census:
Listed at 4 years old

Education - Other:
B.A. North Central College

Occupation:
Home Maker

Family History Researcher:
Grandma Simonsen was round and cheery. She never angered, but sometimes became "cross" if one was inappropriate in their behavior. During the summer stays at her house sugar cookies were consumed in infinite amounts. And, while her mother, great grandma Hilker was still alive, we made homemade applesauce. It was grandma Simonsen who taught me to use needle and thread. And it was she who tirelessly read to me when I did not feel well.

Most Thanksgiving dinners were spent at her home, and what a cook she was. Grandpa always said the blessing and it must have worked because the food was wonderfully delicious.

She never became "excited" in the conventional sense. For example, in the summer of 1964 I was spending my week at grandma's house. Grandpa pulled in to the driveway, not in the old bland white Pontiac, but in a "fire engine red" Dodge with a white stripe down the side. It had white interior and "push button drive." Grandpa was as excited as a kid with a new toy. Grandma stood in the door and all she could say was "Oh Melv. Oh Melv, I don't know." She was afraid of what the parishioners would say. Although it did not daunt her husband who convinced the small town church to put a pool table in its basement to keep kids off the street.

As she aged, her hearing was compromised. After we all became tired of shouting, my mother finally convinced her to get hearing aids. She purchased the kind that fit into her glasses. And we laughed good naturedly when grandma would say, "Just a minute I can't hear you, I have to put on my glasses."
She, along with my other three grandparents, loved me without limitation, but never failed to support my parents in setting guidelines and expectations.

Luella married Simonsen, Reverend Melvin Andrew James 11 Sep 1924, Racine, Racine, Wisconsin, USA. Melvin was born 19 May 1900, Beaver Dam, Dodge, Wisconsin, USA; died 11 Apr 1975, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: Greenfield, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
• Religion: Aft 20 Jul 1926
• Occupation: Aft 20 Jul 1926; Home Maker
• Education - Other: 1948

Notes:

She is best described by grandpa's phrase for her: "a slam dunker." Tireless and moving in only one gear, high speed, she constantly challeneged her children to exhort themselves and use all the talents God gave to them. Most often with praise, sometimes with shame, she moved them to find the best in themselves and perform to the optimum. From the standpoint of a child, one might best describe her as a coach: pushing, pulling, cheering, lauding, castigating, doing everything she could to mold them into productive givers to society. She was vocal, where her husband was silent, she was affirmative where he was reserved. There were times when the "Danish" was most apparent in her. It was, in short, a marriage of complimentary personalities. And it can be said that they truly were partners.

Religion:
Methodist, former E.U.B.

Occupation:
Home Maker

Education - Other:
B.A. North Central College

Carol married Blink, Robert Orville 11 Sep 1948, Racine, Racine, Wisconsin, USA. Robert was born 25 May 1921, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; died 8 Nov 1989, Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. [Group Sheet]

Melvin married Finn, Patricia [Group Sheet]

Living — Edmunds, Living. [Group Sheet]

Living — Patrick, Living. [Group Sheet]

Living — Weston, Living. [Group Sheet]

Living — Crawford, Living. [Group Sheet]

Living — Oswood, Living. [Group Sheet]

Living — Dennart, Living. [Group Sheet]

Living — Augsburger, Living. [Group Sheet]