Neil B. Hilary, age 91, of Watkins, formerly of Kimball, died Monday, May 28, 2018 at Hilltop Care Center in Watkins. Funeral Services will be held at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 3, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kimball with Rev. David Milz officiating.
A luncheon will be served following the service. Visitation will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday at the church and continue until the time of the service. Burial will take place at 4:00 p.m on Monday, June 4, 2018 at Maine Prairie Cemetery.
Neil Bernie Hilary was born December 23, 1926 in Kimball, Minnesota to Noris and Elizabeth (Hendricks) Hilary. Neil grew up on the family farm near Kimball, where he also attended school, graduating with the Class of 1944. On May 1, 1948, Neil was united in marriage to Marcella “Sally” Meyer at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kimball.
In addition to farming, Neil also drove bus for the Kimball schools for 16 years. He then went to work for Jack Vincent in the construction business and worked part-time for the Kimball Police Department. Eventually, Neil went to work in Delano as a sheet metal worker, where he retired in 1989.
Neil was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church as well as a 24 year volunteer firefighter with the Kimball Fire Department. He also served on the Kimball City Council, Kimball Rod & Gun Club, as well as the Kimball Lions. In his spare time, Neil enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking, gardening, and picking berries.
Above all, Neil cherished the time he was able to spend with his family. Neil is survived by his children, George (Susan) Hilary of Prescott Valley, AZ, Carol (John) Geers of Rochester, Sandra (John) Rothstein of New Hope and Delroy (Pamela) Hilary of Watkins; 13 grandchildren Kristin Underwood, Justin Hilary, Stephanie Duda, Eric Geers, Heather Helberg, Aaron Geers, Emily Sigrist, Jesse Hilary, Alyssa Pauls, Bethany Schwartz, Jeremy, Joshua and Jenina Rothstein; 23 great grandchildren Colton, Jessica, Jolene, Jarod, Molly, Elijah, MacKenzie, Gabriella, Julian, Ada, Jacob, John, Basil, Gavin, Rianna, Adriana, Caleb, Jonas, Braden, Kody, Hayley, Hayden and Tatem; siblings, Elmer (Irma) of Zimmerman and Lillian Petty of Kimball; sister-in-law, Wilma Hilary of Minneapolis; and honorary family members Steve, Mary Ann, Jordan, Brandon, Lauren, Joelle and Jarett Edwards. He was preceded in death by his wife Sally, parents Noris & Elizabeth Hilary, and siblings Deatta Whiteoak and Lee Hilary.
The pallbearers will be Neil’s grandchildren. Lori Rippentrop will provide the music for the service.
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