Dennis H. Hilgers

1959 - 2025

Dennis H Hilgers

August 29, 1959 - June 9, 2025

Dennis H. Hilgers, age 65, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack, on Monday, June 9th, while doing what he loved most; fishing with family and friends. Dennis was born on August 29, 1959, in Racine, WI, where he lived most of his life. After graduating in 1977, from Case High school, he joined the Local 8 Ironworker's Union. He was always ready for an adventure and went where the job took him. If you knew Dennis and started talking about a particular bridge or building, he would say, "You know I built that!". He was so proud to be an ironworker. Some of his most memorable projects included The Bradley Center, Area 51, and the reroute of the Hoover Dam Bridge.

Dennis retired to Monico, WI in 2021, which was his dream come true. His house being right on a snowmobile/ATV trail, backing up to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and just a quick jaunt down the road to Boondocks, a local watering hole. An avid outdoorsman, he was able to hunt, snowmobile and ATV his own land. It wasn't unusual to see deer herding up to his squirrel feeders. He even got soft and cared for the local stray cat(s).

Definitely the socialite of the family, Dennis easily made friends everywhere he went. His energy and boisterous voice filled the room, to say the least. No one can deny he didn't enjoy life to the fullest. Forever the outdoorsman, he loved cooking on and sitting around a good fire. You could always find him at the grill during family gatherings. His claim to fame being his grilled jalapeño poppers.

He truly enjoyed riding his snowmobile (anticipating that first heavy frost) and ATV; creating countless stories to tell. Prior to his back surgery he would take overnight trips to the UP with his friends, and then settling for shorter rides with Ron and Kathy, while at the cabin. It wasn't unusual for him to ride to meet Dar in Crandon, rather than drive. But fishing was his true passion, both in summer and winter, where he spent most of his time fishing with his friends. He especially looked forward to his fishing trips with Bob; fishing the Mississippi, cranberry bogs, the Petenwell and their annual Lake Erie walleye trip.

He is survived by his mother, Maydelle Hilgers (nee: Jolivette); his 4 children: Matt Klicinski, Michelle Seay, Brad and Kayla Hilgers; siblings: Mary Lou Hilgers, Tom (Kim) Hilgers, Kathy Deverney and Bob Hilgers; grandchildren: Alexus, Derrick and Malik Seay, Brooke and Colton Hilgers, Cameron and Cayden Cooper; great grandchild: Damier Jones; his special friend Dar Campbell; his 3 turtles, and of course his nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was proceeded in death by his father, Herman Hilgers, brother-in-law Ron Deverney, ex-wife Jackie (nee Ridgeway) and special friends Rory Konicek and Chris Sweet, as well as his favorite hunting dog, Bird Dog.

The family would like friends to help honor and celebrate an amazing life cut too short, on August 3rd, at 1:00, at Smolenski Park, 438 S Stuart Rd, Mount Pleasant, WI.