In loving memory of

Nancy Lou Hilleshiem
April 8, 1943 - November 21, 2019

Nancy Lou Hilleshiem, 76, of Rochester, passed away Thursday, November 21, 2019, surrounded by her loving family, at Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth.
Nancy was born April 8, 1943 in Rochester to Lawrence and Dolores (Schoonover) Rubin. She was a 1961 graduate of Dover Eyota High School. On July 14, 1962, in St. Charles, MN Nancy married Francis Earl "Sam" Hilleshiem. They lived in Elgin for 18 years, where Nancy was a member of the Elgin Ambulance Crew. Nancy and Sam moved to Rochester in 1989. Nancy worked as an administrative secretary at the Rochester State Hospital. She was a member of Rochester Baptist Church, where she was extremely active in various church groups. Nancy enjoyed reading, camping, crafts, swimming, making and sending cards to family and friends. She was a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan. Above all, Nancy loved making memories with her family. She was a selfless, warm hearted woman, and a great conversationalist. She was wise, giving and had a wonderful sense of humor. Nancy was a strong Christian woman with a non-ending faith in her Lord.
She is survived by her children, Terry (Stephanie) Hilleshiem of Rochester, Sam Hilleshiem of Rochester, Tad (Jennifer) Hilleshiem of Elgin; five grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; siblings, Gary (Linda) Rubin, Frank (Linda) Rubin, Ronald (Karen) Rubin, George (Debra) VanHouten, Cindy VanHouten and sister-in-law, Elfi Rubin. Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Hilleshiem; brother, David Rubin; daughter-in-law, Jill Hilleshiem; her father, Lawrence Rubin and her mother and stepfather, Dolores and George VanHouten Sr.
A funeral service celebrating Nancy's life will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at Calvary Baptist Church, 5905 Silas Dent Rd. NW, Rochester, MN 55901 with The Rev. Don Noonan officiating. Visitation will be held 4:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes, 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Hilleshiem family; to share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinfh.com

Tributes

Deb Charette wrote on Feb 14, 2020:

"Thinking of you all today with the loss of Nancy. We all loved her so much. May God surround you with his love. Sincerely the Charette Family"

Debby Jo Charette wrote on Nov 26, 2019:

"I am so sad I won?t be there tomorrow to celebrate Nancy?s life but I will always be grateful to her for being a best friend to my Mom when times were tough. She has always been encouraging and upbeat speaking to others about her life and the Holy Spirit! For all you have done you deserve several crowns and I can?t imagine your meeting with the Lord the first time!?? Love to your family but I know they are happy you are with Jesus. Love you my cousin. See you on the other side."

Debby Jo Charette wrote on Nov 26, 2019:

"I am so sad I won?t be there tomorrow to celebrate Nancy?s life but I will always be grateful to her for being a best friend to my Mom when times were tough. She has always been encouraging and upbeat speaking to others about her life and the Holy Spirit! For all you have done you deserve several crowns and I can?t imagine your meeting with the Lord the first time!?? Love to your family but I know they are happy you are with Jesus. Love you my cousin. See you on the other side."

Karen (Kruger) Madoll wrote on Nov 26, 2019:

"The Kruger family has many happy and loving memories of Nancy . She was at many of our graduation and or wedding gatherings with a smile and a hug and kind words. She will be as missed by all who knew her as much as she was loved."

Jody Prebe wrote on Nov 26, 2019:

"I had the honor of getting to know Nancy by preparing meals at breakfast and lunch for her at H.P. Your Mom was truly one amazing woman. Not one selfish bone in her, Always willing to help other no matter what the project was! Remembering everyone's birthdays with the beautiful cards she made herself even while battling her rhumatory arthritis. I've always said if everyone was like your mother this would be one amazing world to live in!! Nancy will be missed by many? Thoughts and prayers to all the family during this difficult time. My deepest condolences Jody at H.P. Kitchen"

Barbara Knabel wrote on Nov 25, 2019:

"Your Mother was an inspiration for many. She was a selfless caregiver and loving Mother. And she took wonderful care of my two grandchildren Vanessa and Valerie Busse. Sending ??? for all. Barb Knabel"

Theresa Osgood wrote on Nov 25, 2019:

"Nancy was a dear and precious friend to me and my family for over 20 years. She loved the Lord, her family and her church family. We shared many precious memories together thru the years. I loved to hear her talk of the "old days" when she was growing up, then marrying Sam and their life together. She faced many physical difficulties in her life and ""endured hardness as a good soldier" always with a sweet and gracious spirit. Her life was spent loving and caring for the Lord and others. In these past few months when I would visit her we would read her favorite Bible chapter, Philippians 4. She lived "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice" She had a happy spirit amidst her suffering. I am thankful for her life and friendship. I will surely miss her. Phil. 1:3"

Chris Kern wrote on Nov 24, 2019:

"Almost as soon as she moved in to High Pointe, Nanc became the "house mother". She was the one that people went to for a listening ear, words of wisdom and encouragement, a shared laugh or joke, or a place to voice complaints. And she was there for any and all that she could share her God given grace. Funny? Oh my...her Halloween costumes, her "dates" . the laughter she shared and the stories she told! Nancy is now with the Lord and her beloved Sam and her spirit will continue to shine in all that were blessed to know her. She is missed! "

Lisa Noonan wrote on Nov 22, 2019:

"Where do you begin to thank someone for 20 years? Thank you Nancy for loving us unconditionally, for the crafts you fashioned, the cookies you baked, the notes you wrote, the cards you crafted, the meals you prepared, the visits & phone calls you made, the presents you brought, the candy you provided, the supplies you purchased, the baskets you filled, the smiles you shared, the hugs you gave, & the wisdom you imparted. You are proof that ONE person can make an ENORMOUS difference. Every where you were was better BECAUSE you were there! My fondest memories are those times when we sat in your house and apartment alone just VISITING about LIFE! You always had time for PEOPLE and that's what we will all remember most. Even though you were always busy with a "SOMETHING", you were NEVER TOO BUSY for a "SOMEONE!" You always took life as it came and made the necessary changes when God set up detours for you. You even made friends with your arthritis & cancer. Had you not made peace with cancer & weathered that dark valley, I am not sure we could have. You were a shining example to us! I have often said to myself, "How would Nancy handle this?" Well, I know you are happy to be with your Lord, your Sam, and so many precious others who have gone on before you. I bet you know hundreds of people there just like here....There was never any where we went together that you didn't run into someone you knew. Thank you for always having your hand to the plow and NEVER, EVER, LOOKING back! You are HOME now sweet friend! We all LOVE YOU! "

Roberta ( Robin Wempner) Brown wrote on Nov 22, 2019:

"Nancy made every family gathering she attended joyful. She truly knew how to let her light shine!"

Christiane Horan wrote on Nov 22, 2019:

"Nancy was my friend and I am missing her terribly."

Sandy wrote on Nov 22, 2019:

"NANCY AND HER FAMILY have been my friend for the last 10 years. What a great family. When there is things to do Nancy was always there. We worked well together and she will be missed. rest in peace my friend"

Mark Martig wrote on Nov 22, 2019:

"Prayers and thoughts be with Nancy's family. She was an amazing woman. She even babysat my daughter a few times many years ago. What a wonderful woman in Christ."