Marcella M.A. Hillegas

Marcella Marie Anna (Hansen) Hillegas, 92, of Pender, NE died on Thursday, May 05, 2016 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, NE. Memorial services will be held on Monday, May 9, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Pender; Pastor Miles Ruch will be officiating. The visitation will begin at 1:30 on Monday at the church. Inurnment will be in the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Cemetery near Pender. Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Pender is in charge of the arrangements. Marcella was born on April 1, 1924 in Wayne County, Nebraska, the daughter of John and Marie (Tarnow) Hansen. She was baptized at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and later confirmed at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. In 1942, Marcella graduated from Pender High School. On June 4, 1944, she was united in marriage to Roland F. Hillegas in Omaha, NE at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. They lived in Omaha for a short time before moving back to Thurston, NE, and eventually Pender, where they made their home until Roland died on November 3, 1995. She then moved to Kansas and later Colorado to live with her daughter and son-in-law before moving back to Pender in 2012. Marcella was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Ladies Aid, a Sunday school teacher, active in bible study, and was a board member for the Pender Senior Citizens Center. While living in Colorado, Marcella was active volunteering in the church thrift shop and at Hope’s Kitchen. She is survived by her daughter, Karla (Al) Ziesemer of Omaha, NE; son, Marlin Hillegas of Oklahoma City, OK; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Marcella was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Roland; daughter, Marcie Bailey; grandson, James Ziesemer; brothers, Fred Hansen, Lyle Hansen, Elmer Hansen; and sister, Lorinda Magirl.