Cheryl Hilgendorf Obituary

Cheryl M. (Schultz) Hilgendorf, 89, of Clarion, passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025 at Iowa Specialty Hospital in Clarion.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion. A Birthday Celebration will follow at 1:00 PM.
Memorials may be directed to Clarion First Methodist Church or to Iowa Specialty Hospital - Clarion Foundation.
Cheryl Marie (Schultz) Hilgendorf was born on September 29, 1935 in Hampton, the daughter of Carolyn (Lawson) and Tony Schultz. She was the third child preceded by two brothers, William and Eugene. Cheryl attended Clarion Public schools and graduated with the class of 1953, being very active in chorus, band, and orchestra throughout high school.
Cheryl attended St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing in Sioux City and Mason City, graduating in 1956 with a RN degree. She then attended the University of Omaha for further education in nursing. Cheryl returned to Clarion where she was employed by Community Memorial Hospital (now Iowa Specialty Hospital) for 30 years, 24 of which were spent in surgery which was Cheryl's favorite department.
Cheryl met her husband, Jerry, the love of her life, at the hospital. They knew each other for 16 years before marrying in 1975. They had 24 wonderful years together before he passed away in 1999.
In 1989 after Jerry retired with 34 years service at the hospital in the lab and x-ray departments and Cheryl with 30 years, they moved to Bella Vista, Arkansas where they had built a retirement home. Jerry enjoyed his retirement years in Arkansas and Cheryl continued to work in nursing for the next 11 years there, making many more new endearing friends. After Jerry passed away, Cheryl returned to Clarion to be closer to family again.
She enjoyed her many adventures and learning experiences in her nursing career, the lifelong friends and mentors, the trips with Jerry in the U.S. and Europe, and fun trips with friends to Las Vegas and Mesquite, hot air balloon ride, lunches and dinners with friends, meeting with the USTA group, going to plays and musicals, working on electronic devices. Her devoted Pomeranian dogs, Lad II, and all the boys before him.
She was preceded in death by her father; mother; brothers William and Eugene; step-father Francis Horn; step-sisters Lenora Christiansen and Pauline Hackbarth; niece Karolyn Campbell Peck; great-nephew Mark Campbell; and cousin Karna DeHart.
Cheryl is survived by her great-niece Lisa (Dean) Kluss of Clarion; great-great nephew Andy (Michelle) Kluss; great-great-great nephew Kayden Kluss and great-great-great niece Kinsley Kluss; step-children David (Jeanne) Hilgendorf of Menagha, Minnesota, Joanne (Craig) Manion of The Villages, Florida, and Ellen (Terry) Keller of Webster City; special caretaker Athena Higgins; special friend Ellen Rhode; and numerous other relatives.