Eugene A. Hilbers

Eugene A. Hilbers, 78, of Scottsbluff, died Friday, July 30, 2010, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.
His funeral service will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, August 3, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Brad Brauer officiating. A second funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 6, United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Scribner with Pastor Niki McIntyre officiating. Interment will be in St. Paul's Cemetery in Scribner.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to any Disabled American Veterans fund.
Friends may call at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com
Gene was born May 17, 1932, in Hooper to Martin J. and Paula Elfrieda (Marx) Hilbers. He received his education in Scribner and graduated from Scribner High School. He attended Omaha Commercial Extension College and became a telegrapher for Union Pacific Railroad. He married Doris Smidt in July of 1951, at Scribner and made their home in Fort Morgan, Colo.
Gene worked 12 years as a district manager for U. S. Welding, covering all of western Neb. and northeastern Colo. In 1981, he started Wyoming Oxygen in Casper, Wyo. In 1984, he opened Interstate Oxygen in Scottsbluff. This business interest was sold to Linweld, while Gene continued to sell welding equipment to U. S. and Canadian railroads. Gene was well known for "finding a need and filling it." Months prior to his death he sold Interstate Oxygen and continued to pursue other business ventures. He enjoyed his family, friends and always enjoyed traveling.
He is survived by his sons: Bryan Gene Hilbers and Mark Steven Hilbers; daughter-in-law Susan Hil-bers; granddaughters: Sara Jean (Dan) Culwell, Margaret Doris (Tyler) Watkins and Nancy Marie Hilbers; and great grandson: John Ryan Watkins.
He was preceded in death by his wife Doris Smidt, parents Martin and Paula and brother Virgil Hilbers.