Katheryn Jean Hilgenberg

She was preceded in death by her parents Elroy Wilcox, Gertrude Miller, husband Robert Hilgenberg, grandson Joseph Bissell, brother Orland Wilcox and sister Violet Mull.

She was raised in Dighton, Kansas. She seemed to enjoy living in Dighton. As a child she helped her mother run their dairy farm. She would ride along in the truck and jump out of the truck, grab the milk crate and run it up to the customers porch. After they were done with their route it was back to the dairy to clean all the equipment. Even though it was a lot of hard work, she would speak of it fondly.

Her mother also had a house that she turned into apartments and Katheryn would help her mom clean or anything else that needed done. I am sure this is where she learned her work ethic.

When she entered high school she met and started dating Robert Hilgenberg. By May of 1948 they were married. They lived in Dighton for two or three years before moving to Wichita for better job opportunities. They quickly secured jobs at Beech Aircraft. Robert worked at Beech for about twenty five years. Katheryn left after a couple of years to start a family.

In Sept. 1952 they welcomed their first daughter, Marsha Lynn. Followed by Linda Sue in Dec. of 1955. When the girls became school age, Katheryn worked various jobs in accounting and sales. The girls were most excited when she worked at Henry's department store, because they sold upper end clothing.

In 1975 their whole way of life was turned upside down, Robert's mother passed away and he inherited a portion of the farmland where he was raised. All in one day they became farmers. Katheryn worked right alongside her husband. Shoveling wheat, repairing machinery, and many many other farm chores. They lived part time in Dighton and the other half in Wichita for thirty years.

Another big change in their life was when they became grandparents. Linda ended up having three sons. Joseph 1976, Colby 1980, and Landon 1983. Yes, THREE BOYS. This kept everyone busy.

In 2006 Robert passed away. Katheryn liquidated all their assets except the farm land. She leased the land out and moved permanently to Wichita.

In 2023 she moved into a care facility after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She was there for two years before she was tested positive with Covid. She did not recover.

Survivors include daughters, Marsha and Linda; grandchildren, Colby and Landon; great-grandchildren,

Damien, Brooke, Kylie, Addison, Caedon; great-great-grandchildren, Alexander and Parker.

Family and Friends are invited to a lunch at 12 noon on October 30, 2025 at Central Community Church. Celebration of Life Service will follow at Central Community Church Chapel at 1 p.m. on October 30, 2025, 6100 W Maple St. Wichita, KS 67209. Inurnment following the service at Greenwood Cemetery 6231 W. 47th St. So. Wichita, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, 535 W. Douglas Ave #150, Wichita, Kansas 67213.