Age 78
Alene (Keene) Hilderman was born in Pinckneyville, IL on June 26, 1935. She graduated from high school there before moving with her family to Billings, MT after her father died. She went back and attended Southern Illinois University.
She met Elmer Hilderman in Billings, and they were married there on September 17, 1955. While Elmer was attending college, Alene was secretary to the president of the college. He always said her job and her ability to write papers helped him get his degree.
Alene and Elmer had four children: Resa (Jeff) Rawley, Vance, Janna Hand, and Ross (Kelley). She has nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
When her children were older, Alene worked as a Teacher’s Aide for School District #81 for twenty years. She and Elmer spent most summers at their secondary home on Loon Lake. She always tried to catch more fish than Elmer –sometimes it worked!
Alene was very devoted to her family and she enjoyed spending time with her friends as well as cooking, baking, and knitting. Alene was a member of the Disabled American Veteran’s Auxiliary.
After Alene retired, she and Elmer wintered in Mesa, AZ. Their favorite destination was Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They enjoyed cruises, especially through the Panama Canal. Elmer and Alene loved to dance and usually went to the VFW and Eagles Lodge twice a week.
Alene is also survived by her brother Bill (Darlene) Keene, one niece, and one nephew, who all live in Billings, MT.
Alene fought a long battle with lung disease the past four years. We are thankful for the excellent care that she received at Providence Holy Family Hospital.
Pastor Happy Watkins will be officiating at Alene’s Memorial Service which will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 2:00pm in the Ball & Dodd Funeral Home (Northside), 5100 W. Wellesley Ave., Spokane, WA. The burial will be held at the Eastern Washington Veteran’s Cemetery in Medical Lake at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked if you’d consider contributing to the VFW, Women’s Auxiliary #51, 300 W. Mission, Spokane, WA 99201, or to the Wounded Warriors Project.
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