Obituary for Wyman C. Hilbert

Wyman Hilbert was a loving husband, father and grandfather who passed away on January 31, 2023, some two weeks after he had turned 99 years-old. His daughter Patty was holding his hand as he left his earthly body and entered into heaven. Wyman was raised in the Catholic faith and later attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in LaCrosse. He re-dedicated his life to Jesus as his Savior later in life and we are confident he is in His arms today. Wyman was born, raised and lived almost his entire life in La Crosse. He loved his home town and it was very important to him to spend his last days here.

Wyman was a quiet hero from WW2 who was part of a 105 Howitzer team with the 87th Infantry and routinely assumed the extremely dangerous position of forward observer. He lost most of his hearing to the big gun but never complained or expected anything from anyone. Instead, he returned home from the conflict in Europe and went directly to work. He moved up through the ranks of the La Crosse water department from the very bottom and ended his 34 year career as Superintendent of the Waste Water Treatment Facility.

He initially needed to work a second job to pay for the costs of his young family but did so willingly. And while working he also returned to school to finish his education and built much of their family home with his own hands. Wyman could accurately be described as a good and decent man who always did the right thing.

Wyman enjoyed traveling with Alice his wife and their two children Patty and Bob. He spent many hours in the great outdoors fishing, cooking meals on the camp stove, boating, and hiking with his family. Later in life he loved watching baseball, football, golf and winning several good sized bonanzas at the casinos.

Life was difficult in some respects for him as he outlived Alice and Pat, his second wife. He also outlived most of his friends and many family members. He took solace in the regular visits from son Bob, daughter Patty, her husband Robert and their children. Wyman also enjoyed the company of his sweet kitty cat Tiger. Wyman was always interested in the activities of his family and stayed up to date with everything.

He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m., February 9, 2023, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Entombment with military honors will follow at the Garden Mausoleum of the Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m., until the time of service at the church. Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Woodruff Chapel, La Crosse, is in charge of arrangements.