Donavan Lee Hilsabeck

Donavan Lee Hilsabeck, 80, passed away on March 7, 2026 in Las Vegas, NV. Donavan was born on September 10, 1945 in Carroll, IA to Donald Jack Hilsabeck and Darlene Phyllis Jensen. He later moved to Las Vegas, NV with his mom and siblings and graduated high school from Rancho High.

Donavan was a man of faith that loved his Heavenly Father and his Savior. At the age of twenty-five, he tracked down missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was later baptized. Donavan worked several years on the Floor at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as a Trader. It was in Chicago he met his wife and sweetheart, Cristina Szinavel, at a Young Singles Activity. They were later married in the Provo, UT Temple on September 9, 1978.

They had their 4 oldest children, Rachael, Leah, Cristopher, & Michael in Chicago. In 1988, he moved his family back to Las Vegas, NV where they had two more children, Daniel and Emma. It was here that he became a Financial Advisor for several banks that later merged into Wells Fargo. He retired after thirty-seven years in this business.

Donavan loved his wife, his children, and his 27 grandchildren. He loved going to all of their events, games, performances, and ceremonies. He was a foodie at heart and loved watching all sports, especially Indy Car races.

He loved doing genealogy and working at the Temple. Nothing made him prouder than seeing all of his children and grandchildren together enjoying one another, and he said so whenever they were together. He had a larger-than-life voice, smile, and personality. He was a friend to all who met him and he will be so deeply missed. He would want all that knew him to know of his faith and his love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Donavan is survived by his wife, Cristina Hilsabeck; his children, Rachael (Shane) Hickman, Leah (Ricky) Lueck, Cristopher (Shayla) Hilsabeck, Michael (Molly) Hilsabeck, Daniel (Sarah) Hilsabeck, and Emma (Jamison) Abbott; his twenty-seven grandchildren; and his sister, Phyllis (Anthony) Rufo. He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Darlene Hilsabeck, and his brothers, Jerry and Larry Hilsabeck.

A Viewing will be held on Monday, March 16, 2026, 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Azure Stake Center, 10070 Azure Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89149, with the Funeral at 11:00 a.m. A small private family graveside service will be held at the Palm Northwest Cemetery, 6701 N. Jones Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89131. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their Guest Book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.