Margaret Hillesheim, 90, New Ulm

Published 10:29 am Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Margaret Hillesheim, 90, of New Ulm died Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at Sleepy Eye Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm with Monsignor John A. Richter celebrating the Mass. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. in the Albert Lea catholic cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and 7:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home south chapel in New Ulm. Christian mothers will pray the rosary at 4 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm on Wednesday. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guest book, visit www.mvfh.org.

Margaret Julia (Roche) Hillesheim was born July 14, 1922, to Mary (Houdek) and John Roche, their only daughter. Margaret graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1941 in Albert Lea. On June 13, 1953, she married Frank Casterton. They had one daughter, Mary Rita, born on Aug. 25, 1954.

Margaret worked at Swift’s in South St. Paul for six years. She later worked at Wilson & Co. in Albert Lea for 22 years.

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On May 21, 1977, she married Leo Hillesheim. They lived on a farm near Lafayette before moving into New Ulm in 1997.

Margaret was an active member of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Margaret enjoyed traveling, playing bingo, polka dancing and going to Jackpot Junction. She also enjoyed visits from her grandchildren and watching them grow up.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers: Joe Roche, Leo Roche and Lawrence Roche; her first husband Frank; her daughter, Mary Martinson in 2010; and also by one stepson, Terry Hillesheim.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Leo Hillesheim; her son-in-law, Larry Martinson of Forest City; her step-children, Jerine (Al) Hoffmann, Janice (Dave) Schnobrich, John (Kathy) Hillesheim, all of New Ulm, Doreen (Tim) Britz of Courtland, Nadine (Steve) Sellent of Moorhead and Rick (Kris) Hillesheim of Eagan; two grandchildren, Randy (Sarah) Martinson of Garner, Iowa and Amy (Dusty) Abels of Ankeny, Iowa; 17 step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Bernice Holm, Catherine and Lester Hillesheim, all of New Ulm, Gladys and Kenneth Salfer of Wabasso, Edna Roche, Betty Roche, Pat Roche, all of Albert Lea; and by several nieces and nephews. Memorials are preferred to New Ulm Medical Center Hospice. www.mvfh.org.