Mary Wegenka Hilgert

Mary was born January 19, 1928, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Anthony and Mary Grzegorski Wegenka. She was raised among extended family in the Goosetown neighborhood of St. Joseph, where Polish immigrants came to work in the then burgeoning meat-packing industry.

In 1946 graduated from Central high school, attending public school when her family could only afford to send her brothers to Catholic high school. She graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph,

On September 11, 1948, she married William Robert “Bob” HIlgert. in St. Joseph. He preceded her in death April 8, 1980.

In 1961, moved to Omaha where Bob Hilgert, an executive with Guy’s Foods Inc. opened a production and distribution facility.

After her husband’s passing in 1980, Mary enrolled at Metropolitan Community College graduating with honors in 1983 with an Associates Degree in Business Management. She enjoyed working in accounting until retirement.

Retirement saw Mary volunteering in various capacities at Holy Cross Catholic Church in which she was a member.

Survivors include one daughter Rosemary (Michael) Massey of Topeka, Kansas; three sons Michael (Valerie) Hilgert of Athens, Texas, Phillip (Lynnette) Hilgert of Kirkland, Washington and John (Cara) Hilgert of Omaha; six grandchildren, Stephanie (Bradley) Ford, Kathleen Hilgert, Elizabeth Massey, Christopher Massey, Robert (Shauna) Hilgert, John “Jack” Hilgert and Caroline Hilgert. One grandchild, Sadie Ford. Sisters, Genevieve O’Brien, and Anne Sudo; sister-in-law, Darlene Wegenka; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by parents, Anthony and Mary Wegenka; brothers, Anthony and Jerry Wegenka; sisters, Elizabeth Slahorek; Rose Watkins.