Karen Hilger

Karen Hilger, 69, of Noble, Oklahoma died after a lengthy battle with cancer Friday, December 2, 2011. Karen was born June 20, 1942 in Beardstown, Illinois to Julius “Jake” Dotzert and Bernice Sweatman Dotzert.

Karen graduated from Carthage College with a BA in Sociology. On December 27, 1964, she married the Reverend Thomas Eugene Hilger. Being the wife of a pastor, she enjoyed her life of serving the Lord. She loved teaching and making music and spent countless hours as a piano teacher, hand bell choir director, child care worker, and choir director. Her most cherished roles were that of a wife, mother, grandmother, and servant of the Lord.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas Hilger; daughter Debbie Hilger Blanco and husband Julio of Louisville, CO; son Steve Hilger and wife Sherry of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; son, Michael Hilger and wife Crystal of Stewartville, Minnesota; and son, David Hilger and wife Robyn of Norman; ten grandchildren Gabe Hilger, Brooke Hilger, Kathryn Hilger, Anna Blanco, KyAnne Hilger, Max Blanco, Jake Hilger, Shannon Blanco, Nathanael Hilger, and Matthew Hilger; two brothers John Dotzert and wife Lois of Virginia, Illinois and Steve Dotzert and wife Cindy of Virginia, Illinois; two nephews and one niece.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at University Lutheran Church in Norman, Oklahoma. Memorial gifts may be made to University Lutheran Church, 914 Elm Avenue, Norman, OK 73072, where she was a member, or to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Bluff Springs, Illinois 62622 her home church from childhood.

Arrangements are trusted to the care of Primrose Funeral Service, www.primrosefuneralservice.com.