Carol (Schultz) Hilfiker Obituary (1939 - 2025)

Born Aug 04, 1939, Carol (Schultz) Hilfiker attended Watertown High School in Watertown, WI. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Carol (schultz) Hilfiker.

Graduation Year	Class of 1957
Date of Birth	Aug 04, 1939
Date of Passing	Feb 28, 2025
About	(no additional information)
Events	Carol E. Hilfiker, age 85, of St. John, IN, formerly of Watertown, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2025. Born in Watertown, WI, on August 4, 1939, to William and Viola (née Klug) Schulz, Carol grew up on a farm in Ixonia and loved her animals. Her love of animals would carry on throughout her life with her beloved pet dogs and her love of the Milwaukee Zoo. She especially loved giraffes. She was a proud graduate of Watertown High School. After high school Carol worked as a secretary. She met Jerome "Jerry" Hilfiker who would be the love of her life. They were married on May 2, 1959, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Watertown, WI. Carol and Jerry built a loving family with three children, Daniel, Michael and Debra. As a family, they liked to take lots of vacations driving to National Parks and visiting other states besides Wisconsin. Carol and Jerry would continue to take trips after their children grew up and started their own families. Carol and Jerry also enjoyed going to events around the state and in their communities. They could always be found at local parades, dairy breakfasts and especially Riverfest. Carol especially enjoyed the music and the craft fair. Carol and Jerry also liked to go to the casinos in Madison and the WI Dells where they were responsible in their fun, always quitting while ahead, sometimes even after 15 minutes. They liked to attend concerts in Branson and in the WI Dells and at county fairs and Riverfest. Together, Carol and Jerry shared 63 wonderful years of marriage until Jerry’s passing in 2023. Carol dedicated much of her career to serving others at Bethesda Lutheran Home. She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. Carol loved handicrafts. She sewed clothes for her children, she liked embroidery, cross-stitch, and plastic canvas crafting. She is lovingly remembered by her children: Daniel (Michelle) Hilfiker of Festus, MO, Michael (Patricia) Hilfiker of Crown Point, IN, and Debra (Mark) Ley-Wagner of Cottonwood, AZ. She was a cherished grandmother to Michael (Stephanie) Hilfiker, Alicia Hilfiker, and Sabrina Ley; great grandmother to Christian Brown and Harrison Hilfiker. Carol will always be remembered for her love of family, strong faith, and sharp mind - especially when it came to Sheepshead. Carol was especially good at being able to pick and win on almost any hand she was dealt, at the amazement and frustration of her family. Carol was a two-time survivor of cancer and even was part of a St. Mary's video for future cancer patients to help them through understanding treatment and what to expect during their cancer journeys. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerome, and her parents, William and Viola Schulz. A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Watertown with Rev. Nicholas Quinnett officiating. Family and friends may gather at the church from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Entombment will take place at Glenview Memorial Gardens in Ixonia. Memorials, if desired, may be made in Carol’s honor to St. John's Lutheran Church. Hafemeister Funeral Home and Cremation Service is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.hafemeisterfh.com.