Hildegarde Elfriede Shultis

Hildegard Elfriede Shultis, (nee Heller), lovingly known as "Elfie" passed away peacefully on February 10, 2026, at the age of 89, with all of her children by her bedside.

She was born on January 1, 1937, in Zeil a. Main, Germany, to her parents, Julianna and Albert Heller. Hildegard faced many hardships during her childhood in Germany during World War II, experiences that helped shape her strength, resilience, and deep appreciation for family and stability.

As a teenager, she immigrated to the United States, where she courageously faced the challenges of a new country, language barriers, and an unfamiliar school system. Through determination and perseverance, she built a life for herself and proudly embraced her new home.

In 1955, she married Peter Shultis. Her husband, Peter, passed away on April 11, 2016. Together they built a loving family, raising five children. She was a beautiful, generous, and strong woman who took pride in being a homemaker. She devoted her life to her family and passed down her German heritage, traditions and values-gifts that her family continues to cherish today.

She will be remembered as a wonderful role model, a source of strength, and a loving mother whose legacy lives on through her children and all who knew her.

She is survived by her children: Deborah Rapkin, John Shultis and his wife Christine, Sandra Sferruzza and her husband Joseph, Thomas Shultis and his wife Stephanie, and Jill Gordon. Her grandchildren: Brittney Rapkin, Samantha Blair and her husband Chaffin, Peter Sferruzza and his wife Veronica, Stephen Sferruzza and his wife Alessia, Olivia Rapkin, Frank and Thomas Gordon. Her great-grandchildren: Walker and Emma Blair and Vincent and (Matthew predeceased) Sferruzza.

Celebration of Life service details will be announced at a later date.