Hildegard "Hilde" C. Housgard

Hildegard Cecilia Housgard, age 94, of Mankato died peacefully on November 22, 2016, at Pathstone Living.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 2, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 632 S. Broad Street, Mankato.  Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m., Thursday at Northview -North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato and will continue one hour before service at the church on Friday.  Interment will be in the Church of Japanese Martyrs Catholic Cemetery, Leavenworth, MN.  Memorials may be given to VINE Faith in Action.

Hilde was born on November 12, 1922 in Mulligan Township, Brown County, MN to Ferdinand and Clara (Moldan) Windschitl.  On May 4, 1943, she married John P. Hoffmann and they had nine children. They farmed near Wanda and then moved to Sanborn in 1962. She was involved as a 4-H leader until she moved to Mankato in 1966.  In Mankato, she sold Avon, and worked as a waitress at the Wagon Wheel and Century Club.  She later married Jim Housgard in 1972.  Hilde also worked for Kayot Boats and then Shari Candies until the age of 72.  She was a member of the Moose Club and American Legion Auxiliary.  Hilde was a great cook, loved sewing, gardening, crafting, and woodworking. Hilde loved to dance and appeared on Band Wagon often. Spending time with family was the most important part of her life.

Hilde is survived by her eight children: Kenneth (Gloria) Hoffmann of Mount Dora, FL; Ronald (Bev) Hoffmann of Fort Myers, FL; Leon (Elaine) Hoffmann of Prior Lake, MN; Linda (Bob) Warner of Monticello, MN; Ramona (Bob) Zabel of Rochester, MN; Debra (Dick) Hanson of Fort Myers, FL; Randy (Kris) Hoffmann and Anita (Dale) Yokiel, both of Mankato; 13 grandchildren: Jolie and Amber (Ken); Sara (Leon); Tina and David (Linda); Chris, Josh, and Brianna (Mona); Angela, Brian (Deb); Hannah, Bridget and Tom (Anita) and nine great-grandchildren; four sisters: Delores Filzen, Gaylord; Marion Augustin, Springfield; Clarice Wiesensel, and Janet (Dick) Earl all of New Ulm; two brothers, Edwin (Marilyn) Windschitl of Springfield and Sylvanus (Bev) Windschitl of New Ulm; sister-in-law, Sandy Windschitl of Springfield; many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Hilde was preceded in death by her parents; infant son, Gary; sister, Lucille Wall; brothers, Larry and Alfred Windschitl; former husbands, John Hoffmann, Jim Housgard; and other family and friends.