C. Joann Hilsabeck

Celebration of Life Services for C. JoAnn Hilsabeck will be held on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with Rev. Dr. W. Kirwin Stewart, Jr. officiating. Private family interment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery prior to the services.

Carolyn "JoAnn" Hilsabeck, 92 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege. JoAnn was born on September 9, 1923 on the family farm east of Holdrege in Phelps County, the second of three children born to George and Pearl (Sohus) Cobb.  She received her primary education from District #23 and graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1939. She then pursued higher education at Kearney State Teacher's College.

On August 19, 1943, she was united in marriage to Frank H. Hilsabeck, Sr. and the couple made their home in Holdrege, where she lived her entire life. She was employed at the Sun Theater at the time of her marriage and later at the telephone company and Anderson's Women's Wear. JoAnn and Frank enjoyed a devoted union for over 68 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank on March 12, 2012.

JoAnn was a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 80 years being confirmed in 1936, making her at the time of her passing, the longest standing member of the church. She enjoyed playing cards, golf and attending her son's athletic events.

Her family was the love of her life, and her trademark was her wonderful smile. She will be missed by many.

Besides her parents and husband, Frank Hilsabeck, Sr., she was preceded in death by: her sister, Mary Jane Wallace and her husband, Charles; her brother, Richard Cobb; sisters-in-law: Barbara Sullivan and her husband, Wallace, Mary Ann Burgeson and her husband, Roy, Kathryn DeMay and her husband, Grif and Jean Hilsabeck; brothers-in-law: John Hilsabeck and Bruce Hilsabeck.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her three sons: Frank Hilsabeck, Jr. and his wife, Liz of Lincoln, Nebraska, Richard Hilsabeck and his wife, Diane of Appleton, Wisconsin, and Tom Hilsabeck and his wife, Rebecca of Kearney;14 grandchildren: Christopher, Spencer, Peter, Anthony, Tyler, Drew, Grant, Bradley, and Robert Hilsabeck and Tracey Lentfer, Angela Rodgers, Lisa Watson, Jessica Livingston, and Whitney Bean; 22 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Robert Hilsabeck of Elkhorn, Nebraska; sisters-in-law: Arlene Hilsabeck of Westminster, Colorado and Margaret Hilsabeck of Lincoln; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in JoAnn's honor and kindly suggested to the Frank and JoAnn Hilsabeck Golf Scholarship Fund, c/o Phelps County Community Foundation or the First Presbyterian Church of Holdrege.

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.