In Memory of Elizabeth "Liz" Hilker

Elizabeth “Liz” Hilker, age 69, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Thursday, November 7, 2019, at Willow Dale Assisted Living of Battle Creek, Iowa.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 12, 2019, with the Rosary at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Vigil at 7:00 p.m., at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa.  The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Elizabeth Ann Hilker “Liz”, was born on February 27, 1950, in West Point, Nebraska. She was the daughter of Leo and Margaret “Peggy” (Freas) Samson.  She grew up in Ida Grove, Iowa, where she received her education and graduated from Ida Grove High School with the class of 1968.

Liz went on to further her education at Iowa State University, where she obtained her teaching degree in 1974.  In the same year, Liz married her high school sweetheart Allen Hilker and the couple made their home on a farm north of Ida Grove. The couple were blessed with three children, Garrick, Christopher, and Erin.

Liz started her teaching career at a parochial school in Early, Iowa.  She went on to teach the 5^th grade for twenty years at Denison Parochial school before retiring in 2008. She was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where she volunteered her time as a lector, eucharistic minister and vacation bible school teacher. Liz was a member of the Red Hat Society and the Morningside Care Center Auxiliary.

An avid golfer, Liz enjoyed her time on the green and served on Ida Grove Golf & Country Club board. She liked traveling with her husband Allen, taking family vacations and cruises, water walking at the local rec center and going on bank trips with her friends. Liz treasured spending time with her family and adored her grandchildren. 

She is survived by her children, Garrick (Heidi) Hilker of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, Christopher (Jamie) Hilker of Rochester, Minnesota, Erin (Kory) Dausel of Cushing, Iowa; 7 grandchildren: Audrey, Vanessa, Elise, Ethan, Myah, Addyson and Jaedyn; father, Leo Samson of Ida Grove, Iowa; siblings, Russell (Jean) Samson of West Des Moines, Iowa, Mary Samson of Johnston, Iowa, Pat Junod of Ankeny, Iowa, and Paul (Pat) Samson of Medicine Lake, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Susan Streck of Ida Grove, Iowa; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Hilker (2014); mother, Margaret “Peggy” Samson; brothers-in-law, Stan Junod and Kent Streck.