Mary F. Hilgart

Mary F. Hilgart, formerly Engelbrecht), passed away peacefully on Dec. 19, 2019, at Vista Pointe Assisted Living in Menomonee Falls, Wis.  

Mary was born on Jan. 28, 1932, in Grafton to the late John and Hedwig (Hattie) Hilgart.   

She was cherished by her daughter, Kathleen Walkner (nee Engelbrecht); her son-in-law Thomas Walkner; grandsons Clinton (Courtney) and Craig Walkner; and her great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Hadley.  

She is further survived by her sisters Mercedes “Mitzi” (Donald) Proefrock and Jacqueline Jacobs; and her brother Joseph (Linda) Hilgart.  

She was preceded in death by sisters Patricia (Edwin) Tillman and Dolores (Robert) Treat.

She is additionally survived by nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Mary attended St. Joseph School in Grafton, graduated from Grafton High School and completed numerous college level business courses at MATC-North in Mequon and Moraine Tech in West Bend, Wis.  

She had a diversified career as an executive secretary at Enercon and as an executive secretary and buyer at both Tecumseh Products and Exacto Spring, all in Grafton, Wis. In addition, at one time, she held a real estate license and worked part-time in real estate sales.

Her family and friends enjoyed her enthusiasm, sense of humor and vibrancy. Her immediate family called her “Our Tornado” because of her endless energy. She was frequently planning and organizing family events to “keep the family together” which she had promised to Grandma Hattie.  

She always took pleasure in bowling, golfing, playing cards and socializing with friends and neighbors.  

She joined the Red Hat Society in Port Washington and Grafton to expand her social contacts. She delighted in the competition of the Red Hatter’s float in the Port Fish Day parade. Friendships were extremely important to her.

She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church her entire life.

Special thanks and appreciation to the staff at Vista Pointe for the care and services they provided.   

Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1619 Washington St. in Grafton, on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. with a memorial Mass at noon.

For online condolences, please visit www.muellerfuneralhome.com.

If so desired, contributions may be made to St. Joseph Parish School in Grafton, Wis., or Katy’s Kloset in Waukesha, Wis.