Hilda Brohman Wiggins

Hilda Brohman Wiggins passed away in Fort Collins, Colorado on April 16, 2026, at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy as vibrant as her garden. Hilda didn’t just live through nine decades; she filled them with Chicago grit, Colorado sunshine, and a loving, Christian spirit wherever she went.

Born in Anderson, Indiana, on September 26, 1934, Hilda was the daughter of German immigrants, Christine and Louis William Brohman. As a proud first-generation American, she grew up in the bustling neighborhoods of Chicago, graduating from Senn High School before heading to DePaul University to earn her bachelor’s degree.

Hilda’s career was a testament to her heart and her energy. She worked as a physical education teacher in both Illinois and Hawaii, the perfect fit for a woman who loved being active and playing women’s sports. She also spent over 16 years as an intake coordinator at a Christian counseling center in Park Ridge, Illinois, where her voice was often the first step toward healing. Even in retirement, she couldn't sit still, dedicating her time to volunteering between Ten Thousand Villages and Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado.

In 1959, Hilda married Robert “Bob” Henry Wiggins in Chicago. Though Bob passed away far too soon in 1973, their years together were the foundation of her life. Together, they raised their daughter, Amy, who remained the center of Hilda’s world.

Hilda's travels took her abroad to Europe and the Holy Land; cycling in the Northeast; rafting the Salmon River in Idaho; and many places in between. Once retired, Hilda traded the Windy City for the Rockies, but she never quite shook her Chicago roots, and she remained a lifelong, die-hard Cubs fan. In Illinois, Hilda maintained a wonderful group of friends with whom she shared many laughs and tears over the years. Camping in Door County, Wisconsin was a highlight each year. In Colorado, she always jumped at the chance to travel around the state. Rocky Mountain National Park was a favorite, and she would visit annually with her daughter and grandchildren. Hilda also went on many trips with the Primetimers group at Timberline Church, and she visited many historical sites with her dear friends from college. When she wasn't traveling or tending to her flowers, she could be found reading the Bible or watching her daughter's softball games.

Hilda’s legacy is carried on by her daughter, Amy Wiggins; her beloved grandchildren, Delaney and Seth Kress; and her cousins, Vivian and Dennis Cleveland, of Michigan, and Carole and Marcelo Gumucio, of California. She was a woman of deep faith and a dedicated member of Timberline Church.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Collinwood Assisted Living and Memory Care for the exceptional support and dignity they provided Hilda.

A memorial service will be held at Timberline Church on May 14th at 11:00am. Hilda will eventually return to Illinois to be laid to rest alongside her husband at Acacia Park Cemetery.

In Hilda’s memory, cheer a little louder for the Cubs, watch a women’s basketball game, or simply enjoy a quiet afternoon in a garden with your family, just as she would have done.