Bruce Hilsabeck

A Celebration of Life for David B. "Bruce" Hilsabeck will be held on Friday, June 10, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

David B. "Bruce" Hilsabeck, 90, of Lincoln, Nebraska (formerly of Holdrege) passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2011 in Lincoln. Bruce was born on January 30, 1921 in Holdrege to Hale and Fredricka (Lundin) Hilsabeck.

Bruce was a US Navy carrier pilot in WWII on the U.S.S. Hancock, receiving 5 Air Medals and Navy Unit Commendations. He attended pre-flight school at St. Mary's College in Santa Rosa, California and received his naval aviator wings during advanced training in Corpus Christi, Texas, graduating as an ensign. He was assigned to Air Group 6 at Alameda Naval Air Station, Alameda, California, promoted to lieutenant, junior grade, at Hilo Naval Air Station, Hilo, Hawaii. Air Group 6 was assigned to the carrier U.S.S. Hancock and joined other ships in the south Pacific. He participated in the battle of Okinawa and was at Tokyo Bay, Japan.

Bruce was a long time Holdrege businessman and co-owner of Hilsabeck's Sporting Goods with his brother, Frank until their retirement.

On February 3, 1950 he was united in marriage to Margaret L. Straub at the Chicago Methodist Temple.

Besides his parents, Bruce was preceded in death by 3 sisters and brothers-in-law: Barbara Sullivan and her husband, Wallace, Mary Ann Burgeson and her husband, Roy, Kathryn DeMay and her husband, Grif; and one brother, John Hilsabeck.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Lincoln; son and daughter-in-law, Dave and Cindy Hilsabeck and their children: Erin, Andrew and Thomas of Lincoln; daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Lynn and Joe Roh and their children: Allison, Joseph, and Patrick of Leawood, Kansas; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Kim Hilsabeck and their children: Alexandra, Tyler, and Tiffany of Maui, Hawaii; two brothers and sisters-in-law: Frank Hilsabeck Sr. and his wife, JoAnn of Holdrege, Robert Hilsabeck and his wife, Jean of Lincoln; one sister-in law, Arlene Hilsabeck of Greeley, Colorado; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation as the family is honoring Bruce's wish for cremation.

Memorials are kindly suggested to the Bruce Hilsabeck Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o the Phelps County Community Foundation, 504 - 4th Avenue, Holdrege, Nebraska 68949.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.