Yvonne Mae Hillestad

Yvonne Mae (Severson) Hillestad, 86, of Eau Claire passed on to be with her Lord Jesus and her son, Mark, for Christmas on Friday, December 21, 2018. She was surrounded by her family. Yvonne was born in Eau Claire, on April 19, 1932, to Selmer and Esther (Fossum) Severson. She grew up in Eleva and attended the grade school by her parent’s home and graduated from Eleva-Strum High School in 1950. After high school, she attended the Luther School of Nursing in Eau Claire where she graduated in 1953, as a Registered Nurse. After serving as head nurse at Luther Hospital, she moved to Plymouth, WI, then continued her nursing career in dermatology for 25 years after returning to Eau Claire. On March 17, 1956, Yvonne married Stanley Hillestad at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa, where they would later celebrate their 60th anniversary. The couple had two sons, Mark and Daniel. Yvonne deeply loved her family and friends. Whether it was a chat over sweets, competing in a bowling league, regular card game nights, or weekly grocery runs, Yvonne built her life around spending time with loved ones. In addition to her love of reading, long walks, and very hot coffee, Yvonne enjoyed traveling with her husband. The couple explored every continental state and Hawaii, spending some winter months in Florida and Arizona as well as Christmastime in San Diego with their son, Daniel, and his wife, Robin. After Stan’s retirement, they travelled to Norway, multiple countries in Europe, as well as cruising the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. Yvonne was deeply devoted to the Lord and served faithfully at Trinity Lutheran Church for nearly 60 years in numerous capacities. She also helped her husband with Meals on Wheels and was a dutiful caregiver and companion to many close to her who had medical needs. Yvonne was an amazing, wonderful, loving, giving, and thoughtful person. She always gave her very best for her husband, sons, and many others. Yvonne is survived by her husband, Stan; son, Daniel (Robin); daughter-in-law, Karla; granddaughters, Kristi (Eric) and Kelsey (Shane); great-grandsons, Jude and Archer Garfield; and great-granddaughter, Synnove Messner. She is preceded in death by her parents; son, Mark Hillestad; and brother, Donald (Eleanor). The family would like to thank the staff at River Pines of the Grace Lutheran Communities for their loving care and therapy program for Yvonne. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am, on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1314 E. Lexington Blvd. in Eau Claire with Pastor Brahm Semmler Smith officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will be in the Lutheran Church Cemetery in Eau Claire. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church or charities of choice in honor of Yvonne.

Service Information

Visitation

Saturday, December 29 2018
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Trinity Lutheran Church
1314 Lexington Blvd
Eau Claire WI 54701

Memorial Service

Saturday, December 29 2018
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Trinity Lutheran Church
1314 Lexington Blvd
Eau Claire WI 54701