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BORN
1930
DIED
2013
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Andrew Hilger Obituary
Sauk Rapids
June 12, 1930 - August 18, 2013
Services celebrating the life of Andy Hilger, age 83 of St. Cloud, will be 10:30 AM, Friday August 23 at St. Mary's Cathedral Upper Church. Monsignor Richard J. Mahowald will officiate and burial will be in Assumption Cemetery. Andy died Sunday at the St. Benedicts Senior Community in St. Cloud. There will be a visitation from 4-8:00 PM Thursday at the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home in St. Cloud. Parish prayers will be at 4:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home. Arrangements are being made by the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home, St. Cloud.
Andy was born June 12, 1930 in St. Paul to Andrew and Winifred (Stockwell) Hilger. He attended St. Thomas Academy and St. Thomas University in St. Paul. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean war from 1953-1955. He worked at KCIM Radio in Caroll, Iowa from 1955-57. He was with KYMS Radio in Mankato in 1957 and 1958. In 1958, Andy moved to St. Cloud and started with WJON where he was known as "Tin Pan Andy". He purchased half-interest in the radio station in 1965. Andy married Carol Hieserich in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose on August 28, 1965. Andy built WJON Cablevision in 1968, bringing cable television to St. Cloud. He later sold that in 1973. He started 98 Country in 1971 and he purchased Oldies 94.9 in 1989. For 40 years, he shared his thoughtful views in daily editorials, including political endorsements, always with an offer to broadcast opinions that differed. He helped found the St. Cloud Area United Way and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, and led numerous community fund drives and capital campaigns. In the late 1980s, a St. Cloud Times poll named him St. Cloud's most influential citizen. He sold these radio stations in 1999. Andy maintained ownership of Spirit 93 FM, a radio station that he started in 1996 and later donated to the St. Cloud Catholic Diocese, and volunteered to serve as its manager for six years. In 2008, he also found time to build and operate KYES, an AM Catholic programming station. Andy was inducted into the Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2006. Andy was also active in his church, he organized Jesuit men's retreats since 1960 and Jesuit women's retreats since 1993. He also was involved in ministry at the St. Cloud Correctional Facility for men. He traveled to Rome and met Pope John Paul in 1989. Andy was a member of St. Mary's Cathedral and the St. Cloud Eagles Aerie.
Andy is survived by his wife, Carol, St. Cloud; his children, John (Andrea) Hilger, Coon Rapids; Kevin (Teresa) Hilger, Maple Grove; Shelly (Josh Behnke) Hilger, St. Cloud and Mollie (Dave) Werschay, St. Augusta. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, J.D., Bailey, Abbey & Grace Hilger; Ryan, Colton & Addison Hilger; Sam & Nick Byers; and Leo & Lydia Werschay. He is also survived by his brother and sister, Dr. Jack Hilger, Roy, WA and Molly Thibault, Shoreview.
Andy is preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Greg Thibault.
Memorials are preferred to the Central Minnesota Community Foundation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Hilger
Tom Honer
February 15, 2014
Andy and I worked together in the early days. He was a great man and he helped me out as I pursued my time in the media. Carol, I know he is in heaven and is watching over you and your family.
August 22, 2013
May God rest his soul! Andy was one of my favorite writers back in the days of "four corners" for the VISITOR, What deep faith he shared with all our readers. Fr. Ralph G. Zimmerman
John Haerle
August 21, 2013
I find it interesting that I learned of Andy's passing from a stray newspaper laying on a lunch table during an infrequent business trip to the area. You see Andy and his partners purchased WJON from my father John Haerle a long time ago. I'm very happy for him and his family to achieve and to have lived what appears to be a very influential life in the Radio Business,the community and most importantly Jesus Christ. This is something we can be proud of that our life on this earth had value. God Bless.
Alan, & Lynn Buermann
August 21, 2013
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Janine O'Malley-Lortz
August 21, 2013
Dearest John, You have my deepest sympathies on the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family.
Tom Jurek
August 21, 2013
I remember Mr.Hilger from the time he was at WJON back in the 50's.We toured his facility as part of a school day.He was gracious and showed us around the station.I have always remembered him thru the years tho I have been away from the ST Cloud area for nearly 50 years.He was truly a great Christian gentleman.
Sandy Dwyer
August 21, 2013
It was pleasure to have worked with both Andy and Carol on one of their many charitable projects. May he now rest in peace,
August 21, 2013
Very sorry for your loss Carol....you are in my thoughts and prayers. Tanya hoheisel
August 20, 2013
Carol, you were married to a saint. I will always remember Andy. He was a inspiration to me. He will be missed by all of us who knew him.
Joe Gibbons
August 20, 2013
Carol,
Andy and I go back fifty years. I treasured our relationship. Very much of that treasure consisted of a very disciplined intellect.
I was there when you exchanged marriage vows.
Every time I have visited St Cloud, I have attempted to make contact with him.
The nearest person to his equal in these times may be Pope Francis!
Cy Baumgartner
Mercer Island, WA
[email protected]
John Pratt
August 20, 2013
As a sponsoring member of the Museum of Broadcasting in St. Louis Park, I was puzzled to find Al Leighton's photo hanging in the museum's Hall Of Fame, but not Andy's. It turned out that no one had ever nominated him for that honor. That would change at the next balloting opportunity.
Through years of hard work, Andy transformed WJON into the true pulse of the community. It was an absolute privilege to have worked alongside some of the best in the business as a WJON evening personality from 1977-81. Many thanks to Andy and his family for making it all possible.
David Sauer
August 20, 2013
Yes indeed, Andy was a good man. I have fond memories of working with him on United Way and he was always helpful when it came to St. Cloud city issues. God speed Andy!
Betty Hennes
August 20, 2013
My deepest sympathy to Carol and the family. He was a holy man who touched so many in his life time with his kindness and care . God has welcomed him with open arms .
Jay Bouley
August 19, 2013
He's a man who left his mark-the Sign of The Cross for all to see and hear. Proud to have worked on the WJON night shift under Mike Diem & Tom Kay during 1975-80 as J.J. Bouley.
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