Connie Hilderbrand

Connie Hilderbrand, 63, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died August 25, 2021 at her home in Gothenburg.

She was born March 19, 1958 in Neligh, NE, daughter of Alfons and Delta (Gunn) Beelaert. Connie grew up in Orchard, NE and graduated from Orchard High School. Following graduation, she enrolled at the University of Nebraska Lincoln where she received her bachelor's degree as a Physicians Assistant from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Connie started her career in Mitchell and Scottsbluff, and during this time she met Michael Hilderbrand. They were married on July 25, 1981. Mike and Connie moved to Gothenburg and Connie continued her work at the Gothenburg Clinic. Connie enjoyed teaching Lamaze and child birthing classes. Following a single heart bypass surgery in 1995, Connie gave up her role as a Physicians Assistant, but founded a heart support group at the Gothenburg Hospital where she helped many people with the challenges of heart surgery. Connie spent ten years as a clerk at Rhonda's Jewelry until it closed, then she worked at the Gothenburg Library for ten years until her retirement.

Connie had many talents loved by family and friends.  She was an excellent cook and was famous for her coconut cream pie and her soft chocolate chip cookies.  She loved to fish and spend time at the lake, read, scrapbook and travel. She also enjoyed giving gifts, and was an avid Husker fan.  Above all else, family came first. Connie loved to attend her kids' and grandkids' activities and was known as the family picture taker.

Connie was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and was actively involved in Catholics Encounter Christ.  She was also a long time PEO member and a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

Survivors include her husband, Michael Hilderbrand of Gothenburg, NE; daughter, Katie (Adam) Mach of Lincoln, NE and their children Jayleigh, Ella, and Addilyn;  two sons, Matthew (Allison) Hilderbrand of Gretna, NE and their children Mason, Lucas, and Jackson, and Mark (Emily) Hilderbrand of Ankeny, IA and their children Bryson and Brynlee; sister, Barbara (Jerald) Beha of Spirit Lake, ID;  two brothers, Michael (Gail) Beelaert of Orchard, NE, and James (Sandra) Beelaert of Morristown, TN, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, sister-in-law Cathy Beelaert, and nephew Patrick Beelaert.

Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Thursday, September 2, 2021 from 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM with the family present. A Rosary will take place at 6:30 PM.

Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, September 3, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and will be live streamed on Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapels Facebook page and maybe through Connie's Obit on blasestrauser.com.

Burial will take place in the Gothenburg Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church,1915 Ave J, Gothenburg, NE 69138 , or the Gothenburg Library Foundation, 1104 Lake Ave, Gothenburg, NE 69138.