Mrs. Hildegard Hilde Lauf Hicks

Shreveport, LA A funeral service celebrating the life of Hilde Lauf Hicks will be held Monday, August 25, 2014, 10 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home. Pastor Marc Roath, of Calvary Shreveport, will officiate. Interment will follow in Centuries Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at a visitation on Sunday, August 24, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home.

Hilde was born October 29, 1932 in Recklinghausen, Germany and was the daughter of Eduard and Martha Lauf. She passed away on Thursday, August 21, at her home. Hilde was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and businesswoman. She will always be remembered for her quick wit and beautiful smile.

Hilde is preceded in death by her parents, Eduard and Martha; a son, John Steven Hicks; two sisters, Margaret Hennings and Elizabeth Balke; and, a brother, Ada Lauf.

Hilde is survived by her husband of 54 years, E. E. “Gene” Hicks; a son, Mike E. Hicks and wife Dana; daughters, Sandra Hicks and Debbie Willoughby; grandchildren, Connor Hicks, Shelby Hicks and Zach Hicks; a sister, Urslua Slebodnik; and, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; and many, many friends.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Cathy Watson for her loving friendship and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The American Heart Association, or charity of choice.

The following is a special tribute to our wife, mother, grandmother, friend and business associate, from Elaine Fairbanks, a close, family friend:

Dear Mrs. Hicks,

I have been thinking about you throughout the night. Even though you are free from pain, suffering and distress, and reunited with your family and son, those of us left here mourn deeply. You made a tremendous and profound impact on many, many people.

What a life you lived! Like my own Mother, You lived and survived during the darkest times in European history. Did it hold you back? No, you picked yourself up, immigrated to America, and with Mr. Hicks and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, you raised a successful family, creating a successful business. Never once, did I hear you complain or express bitterness about the world events that transpired during your youth.

You welcomed everyone to your table, and for that I’m forever grateful. You were gracious, interesting, generous, funny, compassionate, sympathetic, and empathetic; there are not enough adjectives to describe your personality. You accepted your children’s friends and animals without judgment and always had advice to give. (I still make sure I burp all the bowls before I put them in the fridge!)

You lived life to the fullest and, I bet, you had no idea the number of lives you have impacted. As I wrote to my Mother, You truly are one of the ”greatest generation” and unfortunately, we’re losing too many of you now. Now more than ever, we need people of your ilk and work ethic to inspire, encourage, advise, and teach us the forgiveness and graciousness you so elegantly displayed.

As I say goodbye to you, I applaud your life. Thank you for accepting, caring, advising, and worrying about me. We definitely could use more “Mrs. Hicks” in this world. It gives me great comfort and peace knowing you are able to do even more for all of us where you are now. Rest in Peace, and sleep well, sweet Mrs. Hicks, you have surely earned it. Until we meet again, thank you so much for all you have done for me and the great memories.