Hilgendorf, James M. Funeral services for James M. Hilgendorf, 87, Fairmont, MN, formerly of Edina, MN, will be held Monday, (TODAY) November 6, 2006, at 11:00 am at Grace Lutheran Church in Fairmont, MN with burial at Ridgelawn Memorial Park, rural Truman, MN. Visitation will be one hour before the services at the church. Mr. Hilgendorf died Thursday evening, November 2, 2006, at the U.S. Veteran's Center in St. Cloud, MN. He was born September 2, 1919, in Waverly Township, Martin County, MN where he spent his childhood and attended rural schools. On October 27, 1940, he married Helen Johnson and they made their home and farmed in Waverly Twsp.. He served in the Army during W.W. II. In 1950, Jim enrolled at Brown Institute in Minneapolis, MN and began a career in radio broadcasting using the radio name of "Jim Hill". He was an announcer for KYSM Radio in Mankato, MN and WEAU Radio in Eau Claire, WI. before joining WCCO Radio in Minneapolis in 1954. For many years, he was the Associate Farm Service Director and news broadcaster for WCCO Radio and received numerous broadcasting awards. He was a well known public speaker and emcee appearing at many organizations and events throughout the Midwest. Following his radio career, he held public relations positions for many agri-business companies until his retirement. Jim is survived by his wife, Helen of Alexandria, MN; three sons and their wives, Jim and Jan of Shipshewana, IN, Keith and Carol of Edina, MN, and Gregory and Helen Jane of Alexandria, MN; one grandson and wife, Peter and Maren Hilgendorf of Seattle, WA; two granddaughters, Allison Arndt and her husband, Nathan of Waconia, MN and Betsy Hilgendorf of Minneapolis, MN; and one great grandson, Van Hilgendorf of Seattle, WA. He was preceded in death by one grandson, Thomas Hilgendorf. Condolences may be left at www.zahariafamilyfuneral.com
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
You touched many people through out the years, on both personal and professional levels. Always taking the time to visit even when schedules were demanding. We have received so many cards, calls and visits from the people whose lives you touched. Thanks for giving us a strong faith and for being a true "Good Neighbor to the Northwest" - we miss you dad! Love, Keith & Carol
Keith Hilgendorf
November 08, 2006 | Edina, MN
There is no doubt that my love of radio was passed along by my Grandfather. From the anxiety blizzards of those famous school closure readings and tornado warnings of Minnesota, to the great 70s rock of Stereo 101 where I first heard Warren Zevon, Jackson Browne, the Kinks, the pop of WLOL and KDWB, the once and mighty KQRS, the tireless Radio K (where I had a short-lived Saturday morning show), the amazing Rev 105, and now the daring brilliance of 89.3 the Current.
But above all, it...
Peter Hilgendorf
November 07, 2006 | Seattle, WA
