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Rupert Arthur Hilgenkamp, 79 years, of Arlington, NE died peacefully at his home Friday, November 13, 2015, surrounded by his family.

He was born March 24, 1936, to Arthur and Esther (Echtenkamp) Hilgenkamp in Fremont, NE. He grew up on the family farm north of Arlington, attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School in rural Arlington, graduated from Arlington High School, and graduated from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, NE, with a degree in Business and Economics. On December 30, 1957, he married Karen Mason in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Rupert’s great love was his family and enjoying the events of their lives. He was the pillar that supported the family in both practical and spiritual ways. He was a farmer who never retired and a lifelong sports enthusiast, both as a participant and a spectator. He was inducted into the Midland Hall of Fame in 2013. Rupert was a rural mail carrier for 30 years and held various offices at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, local and district school boards, and community organizations including, President of the Arlington Community Club when it spearheaded the Arlington Centennial in 1969. He also served on the Papio Conservation District.

He is survived by wife, Karen of Arlington, NE; daughter, Deborah Brothers of Austin, TX; sons, Rusty Hilgenkamp and wife Becky of Arlington, NE, Dan Hilgenkamp and wife Jenny of Denver, CO, Erik Hilgenkamp and wife Lisa of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Danelle Glidden and husband Colt, Nathan Hilgenkamp and wife Kaisha, Jonathan Brothers and wife Amanda of Houston, TX, Amy Hilgenkamp, Brody Hilgenkamp, Melissa Hilgenkamp, Tate Hilgenkamp, Chloe Hilgenkamp, Mason Hilgenkamp, Lily Hilgenkamp, and great-grandchild Lawson Glidden.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Service will be held 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, November 17, 2015, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church north of Arlington, NE. The Rev. Rick Kanoy and the Rev. Jason Duley will officiate.

Visitation will be held Monday from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M. at Reckmeyer-Moser Funeral Home in Arlington, NE. Burial will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.mosermemorialchaples.com

Reckmeyer-Moser Funeral Home, 232 West Eagle, Arlington, NE 68002. 402-478-4151

#2 Feature Article

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Hilgenkamp remembered for love of family, sports

Leeanna Ellis Updated Nov 25, 2015 Enterprise, Pg 6A Friday, Nov 27, 2015

How are you doing?”

That's how Rupert Hilgenkamp greeted people he met.

“When you met Rup, he never said hello,” his wife, Karen said. “He said, 'How are you doing?' He always cared about the next person. He never dwelled on himself.” The longtime Arlington resident and farmer died Nov. 13 at his home after a long battle with cancer.

Family and friends remembered Hilgenkamp for his two loves: sports and family.

Hilgenkamp was a star track athlete for Arlington High School, which led to a scholarship at what is now Midland University. He was inducted into the Midland University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013.

“He probably would not have gone to college because his folks — he was supposed to stay on the farm,” Rupert's son, Rusty, said. “But basically he was recruited to play football at Midland.”

Rupert played football for the Warriors. He also participated in track throwing the discus and the shot put.

That's also where he met Karen, a student from Santa Fe, N.M.

“I didn't know him the first year, but he signed my annual,” Karen said. “It said Rupert Hilgenkamp. I got home to New Mexico and I thought, 'That is the funniest name I ever heard.'”

The couple met the next year in the library. Rupert read the sports page every day. Karen was doing research for the debate team.

“We met and bet on the World Series,” Karen said. “He bet on the Yankees; I bet on the Dodgers. The winner was supposed to buy coffee. He never paid.”

The couple began dating a short time later. They were married during Rupert's senior year.

Following college, Rupert returned to the family farm, but he also remained active in sports. He played one year of town team baseball before playing in a fast-pitch softball league.

“He was such a competitor,” former teammate and Blair resident Roger Petersen said. “He played with energy and intensity. It made him a perfect catcher and team leader.”

Petersen first met Rupert when they played against each other on the gridiron — Rupert at Midland and Petersen at Dana College.

Petersen later played softball with Rupert.

“He was easy to talk to,” Petersen said. “He was a good ball player. We both just enjoyed softball. That was our connection.”

Rupert was known for his competitive edge on the field, but when the game was over he would talk to his opponents like they were friends.

“One of the greatest joy in athletics for Rupert, and for the family, too, was the camaraderie,” Karen said. “He could be so competitive against a person, and yet after the game is over, they go down and talk it over.”

When his playing days were over, Rupert enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play.

“That was his family time,” Rusty said. “Ball games were his family time. That's probably where he related the best. The ball game could just be the time to get together.”

Rupert also shared his sports knowledge with his family.

“He taught them all to throw the discus,” Karen said. “The whole family was discus throwers.”

Rupert was also an integral part of the Arlington community. He served in various roles at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, served on school boards and was president of the Arlington Community Club during the Arlington Centennial celebration in 1969.

“Rupert not only had a great pride in his family, but in his community as well,” Petersen said. “He was a good servant of his family and community.”

Though he was involved, his family said, he preferred to stay behind the scenes. But when it was needed, Rupert was there to help.

“When you needed good advice, you went to Rup,” Karen said. “He was that logical mind that figuring out. People would come to him.”

“He was part of the kaleidoscope that is Arlington or Blair or Washington County,” Karen said. “He's part of the pieces that make it so interesting.”

As the kaleidoscope turns, Karen said, it showed Rupert's different roles. He was a farmer, a father, a club president, a church volunteer and a grandfather.

“He's one of many people who make up the community,” she said. “It's the pieces that make it special.”

#3 Funeral Leaflet

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A Farmer’s Harvest

He worked life’s fields for 79 years
With honesty and integrity.

He planned carefully
Purposefully and expectantly
Hoping and praying for the blessings
Of a plentiful harvest.

He cultivated faithfully
Trying very hard to eliminate the
Weeds that invade and threaten
The harvest
The family
The future.

He looked to God
For wisdom and guidance to assure a harvest
He looked to God
For perseverance and encouragement
When “storms” devastated.

He was patient
As he watched for the anticipated harvest
Never giving up when there was failure
And
Taking great satisfaction in progress and successes.

The harvest was plentiful!
The fruits of his labors were
A happy home
A loving family
Faithful friends
And
The abundant blessings of God

The farmer enjoyed this plentiful harvest
With a grateful heart.

Now
At this season in Nebraska
God has harvested Rupert
One of his rural treasures
Who will share The Master’s Happiness

“Well done, good and faithful servant” Well done Rup
Well done Dad
Well done Grandpa

Followed by doxology.

~~~ Obituary, article and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~

FindaGrave # 154992409