Hilma Wittrock

Hilma Louise Alvena (Hogrefe) Wittrock was born on the Hogrefe farm south of Holstein on May 10, 1917. She was the third child of Herman and Charlotte Marie (Broderson) Hogrefe. She was baptized in July of 1917 and confirmed on July 19, 1931 at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church. Hilma went to school at Logan Country School #3. She graduated from eighth grade and then started house keeping in the Galva and Holstein area.

On October 20, 1944 she was united in marriage to William Wittrock in Dakota City, Nebraska. The couple farmed south of Holstein until 1972, when they moved into Holstein. On November 12, 1985, William died and in 2000, Hilma moved to the Holstein Apartments.

Three children were born to them: Carole, Sheryle and Lyle. Hilma enjoyed going to Battle Creek to senior citizen pot luck lunches and afterward, playing cards. She enjoyed cards, and loved to cook and bake. She was known for her good pies, buns, cookies and cinnamon rolls. She enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Hilma was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Charlotte (Broderson) Hogrefe; husband, William Wittrock; daughter, Carole Carstens; two brothers, Herman Jr. “Sonny” and Pat Hogrefe; sister, VaNita (Hogrefe) Fouts; son-in-law, Edward Meyer; step son, Robert Wittrock; sisters-in-law, Louise and Arlene Hogrefe; and brother-in-law, Arnold Fouts.

She was survived by her children, Sheryle (Darwin) Ehlers, Lyle (Alice) Wittrock, Betty Meyer and her family and Mary Jo (Ervin) Eppling and their family; son-in-law, Roger Carstens; eight grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; special friend, Jamie Holbrook; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.