- Date Of Birth: October 4, 1925
- Date Of Death: June 5, 2017
- State: Michigan
Passed away on June 5, 2017, in Kingwood, Texas. Hilda was born in Momence, Illinois on October 4, 1925, the daughter of John and Mary Ziolkowski. She married Clarence Wykstra on September 20, 1947. Their marriage lasted 53 years until his passing in 2000. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Toni; her brothers, Herman and Frederick, and sisters, Ruth and Wanda. In addition to many cherished nieces and nephews, she is survived by her children: Beverly (Fred) Cheney, Leslie Rawlings, Sydney Hamilton, Patrick (Sherry) Wykstra, her grand-daughter Amanda Wilholt, and great-grandchildren, Madison and Connor Wilholt.
Hilda grew up on the family farm near Paw Paw, MI, and inherited a robust work ethic from her immigrant parents. Her unremitting, independent spirit was ever present, through to the end. She was a strong matriarch who raised five children in Kalamazoo, MI, and endowed them with her sharp sense of humor, as well as a love of music, animals, and nature. She was an accomplished cook and seamstress who enjoyed gardening, listening to and supporting music, as well as reading books of all genres. For many years, she shared her love of books by volunteering with the Friends of the Kalamazoo Public Library bookstore.
In her own way, Hilda’s life was like an open book. What you saw is what you got. And what you got were chapter headings such as Caring, Generous, Industrious, Pragmatic, and Incisively Clever. Although her friends and family will miss Hilda’s needlework, wit, and pierogies, they are honored to heed her final request – “Please don’t cry for me when I’m gone. I can’t wait to see what the Good Lord has waiting for me on the other side!”
