Hilbert A. Firgens

Hilbert A. Firgens, age 97 of Suring, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Hilly was born on February 13, 1928 to the late Fred and Ida (Hein) Firgens. One Sunday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hilly gave up his seat to a pretty girl which in the end led him to ask her to marry him. On July 17, 1954, Lorraine Hamberg became his wife at the very church where they met and remained members their entire lives. After their marriage, the couple moved to the Milwaukee area where they raised their three daughters and lived until retirement. While in Milwaukee, Hilly worked many different jobs before landing the two full time ones he put many hours in a day at. He worked the days with the City of Brookfield as a Sewer Inspector and the nights with the Milwaukee Railroad as a Firemen, eventually working his way up to be an engineer. The Railroad closed in the early 1980's, but he had over 25 years of service and he retired from the City of Brookfield in 1990 with 30 years of service.
Owning a lot on Anderson Lake since the early 1960's, the family had a place of their own to come and go from while visiting relatives in the area which gave Hilly the opportunity to fish all seasons, deer hunt with his family and enjoy snowmobiling. Before retiring, the couple purchased a lot at the end of the road on Anderson Lake where they built a log home with the help of family and friends. They were able to enjoy their retirement on the lake after 40 years in the Milwaukee Area. Hilly enjoyed driving so it was easy for him and Lorraine to travel all over the United States and Canada with many trips to Alaska in their motor home. Talking about those trips over the years always lit up his face.
Hilly was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, serving as Men's Club president, usher and a member of the dart ball team. He and Lorraine were on a Sunday night couple's bowling league until her passing, when one of their daughters stepped in so Hilly could continue to bowl. He was very active, outgoing man. He loved to play cards with the Monday group at the Suring Golf Course, golf or men's league bowling on Tuesday's depending on the season, more cards on Wednesday, open bowling with league golf at night on Thursday, fish fry's on Friday at one of his many favorite places, and he finished the week with Sunday breakfast at Water's Edge before Church. He stayed busy until Covid, when most things closed and Hilly slowed down; his favorite saying was "if you don't use it, you lose it." Hilly always had that twinkle in his eye and grin that made you wonder what he was up to or did that he thought he got away with; even the staff at the Lakewood Assisting Living enjoyed that in him.
Hilbert is survived by his 3 daughters, Kim (Joe) Hoerth of Suring, Jody (Flint) Cook of Suring, and Christy (David) Firgens of Suring; 4 grandchildren, Ben (Mary) Firgens, Nate (Caryssa) Firgens, Kira Cook, and Miranda Cook; 3 great-grandchildren, Amari, Gabe, and Hogan; sister-in-law, Juanita Firgens; brother-in-law, Glen Burk. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine, on December 28, 2011; grandson, Kyle Peterson; siblings, Lydia (Ted) Timm, Elmer (Betty) Firgens, Evelyn (Raymond) Timm, Denver (Mary) Firgens, Adolph Firgens, Laura (Hilton) Huncosky.
Visitation will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Breed on Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 9 AM until the funeral service at 10:30 AM with Pastor Steven Stoll officiating. Hilbert will be interred at Breed Union Cemetery beside Lorraine. Gruetzmacher Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.
A special thank you to all the nurses and staff at the Lakewood Assisted Living for the wonderful care and compassion over the past two years, you are truly members of our family. Also to Bristol Hospice, for these past couple of weeks during Dad's special time of need.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in Hilly's honor to Emmanuel Lutheran Church or Camp Luther.
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