Toni Hillenbrand

She was born on August 26, 1927, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, the youngest of five children of Italian immigrants, Alberto and Lucia (Toni) Santoni of Sassoferrato, Italy. After high school graduation, Toni moved to Chicago to earn her degree as a registered nurse. She met, and married, John A. Hillenbrand, Jr. They raised their two children first in Chicago, then in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin metropolitan area. Toni re-entered the nursing profession after 17 years as a stay-at-home Mom. Over the years, she transitioned from part-time to fulltime employment as an R.N., was promoted to head nurse, and ended her career as a Clinical Supervisor, managing two units of Milwaukee County Medical Complex. Toni was a compassionate caregiver to her patients, and a competent, respected, and well-loved supervisor to her staff. She treated all patients and staff as she would like to be treated. Upon retirement, John and Toni moved to the Kansas City area to enjoy “good times” and create memories with their children and their families in Kansas and Texas.

Toni is survived by her children: Marion (Joe) Goetz and Steve (Pam) Hillenbrand; three granddaughters: Tracy (Adam) Hall, Jennifer (Brad) Furnish, Ashley Hillenbrand; and three great-grandchildren: Zoe Hall, Thomas Joseph Furnish, Juliana Furnish. She was preceded in death by John, her husband; her siblings, and their spouses.

Visitation will be held at 10AM on Wednesday, September 26, 2018, at Cure’ of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd., Leawood, Kansas, followed by praying of the rosary at 10:45AM and Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM. Burial will be in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in remembrance of Toni Hillenbrand to the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, 7430 N. Ridge Blvd., Chicago IL 60645-1913.