Obituary of Esther Hilliard

Memorial Tribute Helen Esther (Dempsie) Hilliard, the daughter of Joseph David and Lydia Evaline (Colver) Dempsie, was born on August 14, 1915 in Logan, Iowa. She moved to Spirit Lake, IA early in her childhood and resided on the Valentine Van Steenburg farm, which is now home of Okoboji View golf Course. Esther attended Lake View Township Country School, which her sister Mary Van Steenburg, was one of her teachers. She graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1932. On June 29, 1936, she was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Dwight Hilliard. The couple was married on the front lawn of the Dempsie home, overlooking West Lake Okoboji. The couple was blessed with four children: Jim, Dwayne, John and Evalyine. Following their marriage the couple moved to Backus, MN for a couple of years. They returned to Iowa and settled in Montgomery area, where they started a corn shelling, moving, and trucking business. Esther was very involved in the business, hauling grain and livestock. In 1990, she turned in her chauffer’s license and was recognized as being the oldest lady to have a chauffer’s license in the state. Esther had her license for 49 years. In between driving truck, she kept herself busy, selling Avon for 38 years. Esther was in the Avon’s prestigious president’s club for 20 of the last 38 years. She sold Avon until she fell and broke her leg at the age of 84. She passed away at the Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake on Monday, April 28, 2008 at the age of 92. Esther also loved to play the organ and piano for the Montgomery Methodist Church and Spirit Lake Baptist Church. She would also fill in at the Arnolds Park Methodist and Excelsior Methodist Churches. Being blessed with many musical talents she sang for many weddings, funerals and special events for different organizations. She was also the chior director for the Methodist Church and taught Sunday school as well, held several offices in the United Methodist Society of Christian Service, and served as a representative to the United Methodist Church Conference. Esther is survived by her daughter: Evalyine (Kenneth) Billings, of Estherville, IA; grandchildren: Pat Hilliard of Des Moines, IA, Rhonda (Jeff) Meyer of Spencer, IA, Pam (Bill) Boylan, of Norwalk, IA, Shari Christoffer of Superior, IA, Kent (Jamie) Billings of Hartley, IA, Tammy Kelly of Spirit Lake, IA, Paula (Chris) Pitsilos of Spirit Lake, IA, Mike Hilliard of Des Moines, IA, Jason (Lora) Billings of Council Bluffs, IA, and Kimberly (Doug) Bjorklund of Gillete, WY; daughters-in-law: Marlys Fraizer of Littleton, CO and Diane Christoffer of Spirit Lake, IA; brother-in-law: Majel (Gwen) Hilliard of Morton, IL; sisters-in-law: Marie Dempsie of Port Riche, FL, Melba Wilson of Wallingford, IA and Joyce Farqueson of Des Moines, IA; 15 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceeded in death by her parents; husband of 53 years Dwight; sons: James David, Dwayne Lee and John Robert Hilliard, grandson: Wayne Dean, great grandson: Jarred; siblings: Theron Dempsie, Martha Booth, Mary Van Steenburg, Ida Marguerite, Dorothy Strong and David Dempsie. A Celebration of Life Helen Esther Hilliard Born ~ August 14, 1915 Died ~ April 28, 2008 Age ~ 92 years 8 months 14 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2008 United Methodist Church Spirit Lake, IA Clergy ~ Rev. Deborah Wise Organist/Soloist ~ Bob Floss Processional ~ “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” #526 Special Music ~ Bob Floss “He” “Beyond The Sunset” “Does Jesus Care” Special Music ~ Sonny Fronk “In The Garden” Recessional ~ “God Be With You Til We Meet Again” #672 Pallbearers Jason Billings Kent Billings Gary Johnson Jon Gunderson John Wieck Adam Wieck Keith Moriston Bruce Vodraska Honorary Pallbearers Harold Fronk Jeff Johnson Leonard Browning Steve Dunn Ushers Elwin Tritle Merlin Tritle