Hilda E. Uhlig

Hilda Eleanor Uhlig, 86, of Westminster, died on Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Born on Nov. 23, 1925, in Munich, Germany, she was the daughter of Anna Pramz Drexler and John Drexler.

She was 2 1/2 years old when she came to the United States with her parents.

They lived in Long Island, N.Y., where she grew up. She excelled in school and graduated from high school at 16 years old. She went on to the Berkeley School, a private junior college in New York City and worked as an executive secretary for a New York law firm.

In 1945, she married Karl H. Uhlig and moved to upstate New York. Over the years, his work took them to many locations in New York state, including Sidney, Utica and Springville, south of Buffalo; Towson; and Sydney, Nova Scotia. She enjoyed each location, teaching nursery school for 3- and 4-year-olds at a church sponsored school. She started her own small business making leaded glass goblets; served as a school librarian; owned and operated a jewelry/gift shop; and served as an office manager at a local country club.

She was active in the communities where they lived. She worked with the American Legion and helped with special events; served as a member and then officer in the Eastern Star; and helped organize and serve in a Head Start Program.

She was also active in several local community theater groups over the years, both as an actress and director; and Karl Uhlig and she served as officers of the First Presbyterian Church in Springville. In 1979, the Springville Chamber of Commerce named her "Woman of the Year" for her work organizing a Meals on Wheels program.

When Karl Uhlig retired in 1987, the couple moved to Westminster to be closer to their children. During that time, they became AARP tax counselors for the elderly, a program in which she was active for 15 years. They traveled extensively over the next few years spending several summers in Brazil, where her husband served in a retired executive program that helped third world companies upgrade their technology.

She was active in the Carroll Players; an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Westminster and served as a Deacon.

In 1991, Karl Uhlig had a massive stroke and was in a nursing home for the next nine years. While she visited him every day until his death in 2000, she also served as an active volunteer in the nursing home. She moved to Carroll Lutheran Village in 2005 and became active as a volunteer welcoming new residents and working in the library.

Surviving are children Thea Uhlig-Ruff; Thomas Uhlig and his wife, Jeanette; Kristin M. Uhlig Forness; and Stephen Uhlig; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and sister-in-law, Katharine Uhlig Kline and husband Gary.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 23 -- on what would be her 87th birthday -- at Carroll Lutheran Village Krug Chapel, 300 St. Luke Circle, Westminster. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the First Presbyterian Church of Westminster, 65 Washington Road, Westminster, MD 21157 or the Carroll Lutheran Village Endowment Fund, 300 St. Luke Circle, Westminster, MD 21158.

Arrangements are by Fletcher Funeral & Cremation Services in Westminster.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fletcherfuneralhome.net.

Sign this guest book online at www.carrollcountytimes.com.