Hilton H. Henschen, 100, of Otsego, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, and Norwood, Minnesota, died on Thursday, June 27, 2019, from complications of hip surgery, at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

Hilton Herbert Henschen was born on April 29, 1919, to Wilhelm and Hulda (Gennrich) Henschen in rural Norwood. He was baptized on May 11, 1919, by the Rev. August Rehwaldt and confirmed on April 9, 1933, by the Rev. Herman AmEnd at Zion Lutheran Church in Cologne, Minnesota. Hilton grew up in rural Norwood and attended Zion Lutheran School through the seventh grade and finished eighth grade at the public school. Following his education, he farmed with his father until he entered the U.S. Army and served during World War II from 1942-1946. Following his honorable discharge, Hilton returned to Norwood and was united in marriage to Carmen Kloth on Aug. 16, 1946. They made their home in Norwood, where they raised their four children. Hilton attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis for his chief engineer schooling. He worked for Bongard’s Creamery for 39 years as plant foreman and chief engineer, retiring in 1985.  He was a member of the American Legion, St. John’s Lutheran Church Men’s Club, and the Mower County Senior Center. Hilton served on the Norwood City Council, St. John’s Lutheran Church Council, and Mower County Senior Center Board. Hilton enjoyed carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, travel and playing cards. Carmen died on Oct. 11, 1990. Hilton moved to Austin in 1992, where he became a grandpa to Andrea Anderson, Gabrielle Hall and Jay Stiles. He served as an usher/greeter and Communion server for shut-ins at Grace Lutheran Church in Austin. In 2016, Hilton moved to Otsego to live with his daughter and son-in-law, Sandy and Richard. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially while making memories at the lake cabin together.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carmen; siblings, Raymond Henschen, Ellen Herrmann, Lester Henschen and Maynard Henschen; and son-in-law, Richard Dailey.

Hilton is survived by his four children, Sandra Dailey of Otsego, Ronald (Ellen) Henschen of Edwardsville, Illinois, Janet (Troy) Peterson of Coon Rapids, and Karen (Kirk) Lee of Parkers Prairie, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Doreen Kloth of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; three grandchildren, Joshua (Vasilena Dzhoeva) Henschen, Amanda (James) Sansom and Frank (William Perkins) Dailey; two great-grandchildren, Eliya and Jacob Sansom; and nieces, nephews and extended family.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Anoka, Minnesota, with the Revs. Kirk Lee and James Sansom officiating. Visitation will be held one hour before the service on Wednesday at the church. Music is provided by organist Daniel Reineke and vocalist Ellen Henschen. Military honors will be accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard with Taps played by Miles Rowland. Interment will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Norwood Young America. Urn bearers are Paul Kloth, Eric Klimek, James Henschen and Frank Dailey. Arrangements provided by Lind Family Funeral & Cremation Services, lindfamilyfh.com.