Madonna Hillesheim

Madonna E. Hillesheim was born on November 10, 1926, to Joseph and Catherine (Platz) Nachreiner in Springfield, MN.  She attended country school through the 8th grade.  On September 30, 1946, Donna married Albert J. Hillesheim at St. Raphael's Catholic Church in Springfield.  The couple raised their family in Clements.  Donna was the loving matriarch of the family and enjoyed the time she spent with her whole family.  The kitchen was always a main gathering space, comforted by her presence and her food.  She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, and canning, especially her delicious dill pickles.  Donna also made beautiful quilts.  She loved traveling with the love of her life, Albert, where they would go to polkafests. Donna enjoyed joking around with those she loved.  She also loved Bingo and scratch off tickets.  Donna enjoyed her sweets and ice cream.

Madonna died on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield, at the age of 96.

She is survived by her children - Lynn (Rita) of Morgan, Mary (Tommy) Keith of Montana, Loren (Cindy) of St. Louis Park, Larry (special friend Lily) of Shoreview, Lonnie (Michelle) of St. Louis Park, Dan (Cindy) of Springfield, Cathy (Steve) Berberich of Comfrey; sons-in-law Larry Shermak of Becker and Jeff Marsden of Arizona; daughter-in-law Carolyn Marshall Hillesheim of Virginia; 25 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; siblings - Luella Nachreiner of Springfield, Lillian Lentsch of Glencoe, Kathleen (Don) Balbach of New Ulm, Linus (Rosie) Nachreiner of New Ulm, Arnold (Ruth) Nachreiner of Texas, Jerry (Carolyn) Nachreiner of New Ulm, sisters-in-law Bernice Ludewig of Comfrey, Bernette (Cliff) Schumacher of Sleepy Eye, and Alice Hillesheim of New Ulm.  Madonna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughters - Judy Shermak and Ginna Hillesheim; infant son John; sons - Lee and Doug, two grandsons, siblings and spouses - Lynora (Walter) Gentz, Edmund (Loretta) Nachreiner, Leon (Betty) Nachreiner and Omer Lentsch.