Gildard "Spud" Hillesheim

Gildard (Spud) Hillesheim, 89, a resident of St. Peter, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on November 9, 2024.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 15, at 11:00 am at Church of St. Peter with visitation prior to the service, starting at 9:30 am.

Spud was born on June 7, 1935, in Leavenworth, Minnesota, the son of Katherine (Schunk) Hillesheim and Hubert P. Hillesheim and attended public school in Leavenworth.

He married Lois J. Billmeier on June 15, 1955 in Morgan, Minnesota. They resided in Sleepy Eye until moving to St. Peter in 1957. Spud worked at ADC and Onan for many years until he retired. He decided to go back to work at Winland in Mankato for a few years until he retired for good in 1998.

Spud enjoyed playing softball, bowling, fishing, playing cards and loved skiing most of all. He loved spending time with his family and especially loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved attending sporting events and extracurricular activities of his children and grandchildren. Spud was a talented wood worker and made many things from toys to elaborate birdhouses and furniture. He bought a skate sharpener and sharpened the skates of many young hockey players when his oldest grandson played hockey. He loved country music and dancing.

Spud is survived by his loving wife, Lois, children Mitchell (Patti), Loran (Janet), Michelle, Cheryl and Duane (Romnee); grandchildren Ryan (Allison), Beau James, Danielle (Nick), Paige (Jordan) and Lynn (Arie); two great grandchildren Griffin and Lana; siblings Rose Zollner, Katherine Feige, Joseph (Alice), Annette (Art) Helget, Mary Stadick and Steven (Sandy); and many nieces and nephews.

Spud was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert P. and Katherine (Schunk) Hillesheim, sisters Juliette, Regina, and Ruth and brothers Jerome, Francis, Gilbert, Lyle and Hubert, Jr.

Spud will be missed by many.