Barbara Jean “Barb” Hilgenbrinck
Barbara “Barb” Jean Hilgenbrinck, age 79, of Quincy, died on Sunday, September 15, 2024, in Good Samaritan Home. Barb was born on December 30, 1944, in Quincy, the daughter of Elmer and Coletta (Wellman) Maas. She married James W. Hilgenbrinck on November 30, 1963, in St. Anthony Catholic Church. He preceded her in death on August 18, 2011.
Barb was a 1962 graduate of Notre Dame High School. She attended beauty school at the Quincy Beauty Academy where she graduated and held her beautician’s license for 25+ years. In addition to being a beautician and having her own shop in her home, she also was a busy farm wife, helping where she could, usually cooking and baking and taking food out to the fields where everyone got fed. Barb also worked at the former Quincy Kmart for 25 years as the Service Desk and Check-out Supervisor.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for over 40 years and then she was a member of the Church of St. Peter. She was a devout Catholic with a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. During the years that her children went to St. John’s School, she volunteered for numerous activities including a Brownie troop leader, and a Cub Scout Den Mother, just to name a couple. In later years, she helped to found the local Quincy chapter of the Huntington’s support group due to her husband Jim and many of his family members having Huntington’s Disease. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed it a lot. She could make about any flower or plant grow and thrive. Barb was known for her beautiful red roses and gorgeous floral landscaping. She always grew a very large garden with her husband, where she used vegetables to put up and can numerous quarts each summer to get the family through to the next summer.
Barb had a “servant’s heart” and was always willing to volunteer and help with about anything. She was a member for eight years and served as President of the Resident’s Council for two years. She was in the Placematter’s group, making thousands of placemats. Barb was also part of the Angel Committee, and a gifted seamstress, who while at Good Samaritan sewed for other residents and staff.
Barb is survived by her children: Patricia Ann “Patty” Purcell and her husband Timothy Rudd of Keokuk, IA and Gary W. Hilgenbrinck of Quincy, and her granddaughter Kristin (Kevin) Bradshaw, whom Barb so lovingly and willingly helped Patty raise.
Four more grandchildren: Kaleb (Jessica) Purcell; Bryce Pool; Nicole Hilgenbrinck and Hunter Hilgenbrinck.
Six Great-Grandchildren, Eastyn Schutte, Coltyn Schutte, Emmett Bradshaw, Mia Foster, Jase Purcell and Jozee Purcell.
Five siblings still living: Lucille Nieders, Florence Smith, Tom (Julia) Maas; Elmer (Jeannie) Maas, and Robert (Connie) Maas. Numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives also survive.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings: Loretta Klauser, Rose Mary Benz, Joan “Annie” Dreyer, Clara Neisen, Virgil Maas, Clarence Maas, Melvin Maas, Raymond Maas and Gerald Maas.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. in Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 10:00 a.m. in St. Peter Catholic Church with Monsignor Leo Enlow officiating. Interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. in Duker & Haugh Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Messages may be shared online at www.dukerandhaugh.com.
Being a friend of Barb since going to Notre Dame in 1958 til graduation in 1962, then renewing our friendship after I retired in 2007 we have shared so much. 13 years at Good Samaritan during which she was never riding the ‘poor me train’ but spending each day doing for others. No matter if is repairing another persons clothes, cutting cards to make place mats, making bracelets to sell for activity fund or just helping new patients to adjust. I like to think that Barb was a gift to everyone at Good Samaritan both staff and patients.
But most of all I respect the wonderful daughter and son that she raised to be awesome people. Plus her grand daughter who was co parented by Barb and Jim.
I am sure she has a beautiful room in God’s heavenly home and is with her rock, Jim.
She will be missed but always remembered.
Ann, what a beautiful tribute to Barb. She was a good friend to our Mother in law while she was at Good Samaritan, and to all of our family. Barb was always helping others, and she seemed to love doing it.
Barb was always one of our favorite bingo players when our church came to play once a month. She usually sat with Martha and Shirley until their recent passing then she sat with other friends. She was always fun and I personally loved chatting with her each month. She will be greatly missed. So thankful for the many months we had such a special lady with us!
On behalf of William Hilgenbrinck and his entire family, we send our heartfelt condolences to the entire family as you say goodbye to Barb. As I chatted with dad about Barb, we both agreed Barb was so very nice. Her humor and laughter was always so wonderful. We know she was so very loved by all and will be greatly missed.
Shared by Linda Hilgenbrinck, Tucson, AZ
Bill and Janet’s oldest daughter