Alma Hilsenbeck
Alma Mae (Hefley) Hilsenbeck was born on a farm near Durham Oct. 19, 1908, to Fred and Anna (Zimmerman) Hefley. She grew up on the farm, attended school at Durham, and was a member of the Durham First Baptist Church and later the First Christian Church in Marion.
Shortly after graduating from high school she took the county teachers examination to receive a certificate to teach in Marion County. She began her career in several one room schools in the Durham area and later taught in Canton and Marion.
She continued her education by taking night classes and summer school at Tabor College and Emporia State University, graduating from ESU in 1963.
The eldest of eight children, she had a generous heart. She earned little money during the depression and afterward felt the need to help her younger siblings financially to get their education.
In 1942 Alma was married to Dan Schlotthauer. The couple lived on a farm near Marion and at the time of Dan's death they had been married 30 years.
In 1973 she was married to Leonard Hilsenbeck and in 1981 they built a new home in Marion. Leonard died in 1985 and Alma continued to live in her home until the last five weeks when she moved to Hillsboro Community Medical Center, Long Term Care, where she died Aug. 7, 2002 at the age of 93.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Dr. T.L. Hefley, Reuben Hefley, Alvin Hefley, Dr. Harvey Hefley; and a sister Erlean Cropper.
She is survived by her brother, Maynard Hefley and wife Ruby of Hillsboro; sister Florence Ehrlich and husband J.C. of Marion; and many Hilsenbeck and Weinbrenner nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Monday at the Marion Christian Church with the Rev. John Yates officiating.
Casket bearers were James Hefley, Jon Hefley, Richard Hefley, Mike Cropper, Patrick Cropper, Darryl Ehrlich, and Don Weinbrenner. Keith Collett was the vocalist and Donna Hayen the organist.
Burial followed at Marion Cemetery.
Memorial funds have been established with the Marion Senior Center and the Christian Women's Fellowship.
