Frances Virginia (McCuen) Hilgren

Oct. 4, 1917 – Dec. 27, 2006

IN LOVING MEMORY DOWAGIAC — Frances Virginia Hilgren, 89, went to be with the Lord December 27, 2006. She was born in Nappanee, Indiana, the fifth of 10 children born to Bernice and Harold McCuen. On October 6, 1939, she married Robert Wayne Hilgren, who preceded her in death on March 17, 1996. She grew up in South Bend, Indiana, but most of her adult years were spent at Indian Lake in Dowagiac, Michigan, and Niles, Michigan.

Surviving are her daughter, Sharon Kay Troestler (Michael) of Oak Creek, Wisconsin; one grandchild, Robert Wayne Pennell (Michelle) of Muskego, Wisconsin; two great-grandsons, Joseph Lee and Andrew James Pennell; and four siblings, Martha Fogle (Lester, deceased) of Sebring, Florida, Esther Michels (Nick), Marguerite Monroe (Burdette, deceased) and Edward (Ruth), all of South Bend, Indiana. Her grandson was the light of her life.

Frances had been a resident at Elizabeth Residence, Franklin, Wisconsin, for five months, where her daughter made sure she got good care and spent time making her room attractive. Prior to that she had been in various assisted living facilities around South Bend and Buchanan for seven years. She and her husband were devout Christians and faithfully attended Calvary Baptist Church in South Bend for many years. She loved to play the old hymns on the piano and sing parts along with her siblings and family. Together they also loved other music, especially the Big Bands. A New Years Eve never went by without them listening to Guy Lombardo bringing in the New Year. Her passionate hobby was collecting and restoring antique furniture, long before it was a popular thing to do, and she and Bob spent many of their vacations in the early years looking for something special. One time they brought home a set of eight dining room chairs mostly in paper bags and Bob put them all together and learned to cane so he could re-cane the seats and backs. Their house was completely furnished with antiques they had lovingly restored. Frances graduated from Central High School in South Bend in 1935 and from Epworth (now Memorial) School of Nursing in 1938.She worked at Epworth Hospital until she had her daughter, and later used her skills to take care of her mother until she died.

She was just “Aunt Fran” to all her nieces and nephews, and they all have fond remembrances of all the good times at Indian Lake in Dowagiac when they were young. She loved her family and will be missed by them until we meet again in heaven.

Cremation has taken place at Mothen-Bell Funeral Home in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There were no services.

Source: Newspapers.com

09/22/2024 EJS