Cordelia Mae “Corky” Hillebrandt

Cordelia Mae “Corky” Hillebrandt

Mar 11, 1928 – Jan 29, 2018

Preceded in death by husband, John P. “Jack” Hillebrandt; parents, Sol and Lydia Klein; son, Tom; grandson, Matt.  Survived by sons, Patrick (Kathy) and Bob (Teresa); 11 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; brother, Gerald Klein (Kathy).

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Jan. 30th from 5pm to 7pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL on Wednesday, Jan. 31st at 10:30am at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 6905 Blondo.  Entombment, Calvary Mausoleum.

Memorials are suggested to St. Pius X School Student Assistance Fund.

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Our mother, Cordelia “Corky” Mae Klein Hillebrandt, was born on March 11, 1928 in McCook, Nebraska. When she was still a baby her family survived a tornado. They lost everything but had each other. In 1939, her only brother, Gerald, was born. In 1943 Corky’s father, Solomon Klein, accepted a job with Union Pacific and they moved to North Platte. She learned how to drive while in North Platte. When Corky’s father was teaching her on the rural roads, she bumped into a horse! She went on to graduate from high school in 1946.

Corky’s mother, Lydia Klein, had a sister Clara who needed some help in Washington DC., so Corky packed up and headed east to stay with her. She lived very close to the White House and worked at a nearby bank.

Corky met Jack Hillebrandt after WWII in North Platte at the country club for a social event. Jack left North Platte to attend college at Purdue University. Soon after, Corky moved out to West Lafayette, Indiana and lived at the YWCA. While there, she went through her conversion and became Catholic. Corky and Jack were married in 1947 in North Platte. Since Jack was so much taller than Corky, she was given a box to stand on for their wedding picture.

After they were married, they moved to Omaha, where Jack worked for Union Pacific and Corky worked at Mutual of Omaha. She could type with the best of them! Jack accepted a position at the Corps of Engineers and they resided in South Omaha. In 1952, Corky gave birth to their first son, Pat. A couple years later in 1954, they would welcome their second son, Bob. By then they had moved down to North Ridge Drive in North Omaha. In 1959, they moved to Ottumwa, Iowa for a short while, and then back to Omaha where they would reside on Springfield Drive for over 50 years. It’s in this house that they welcomed their third son, Tom, in 1960.

After Jack retired in 1979, they started spending winters in St. George, Utah. Jack passed away in 2006 and Corky moved into the Parson’s House in 2010. She was transferred to the Hospice House in January 2018 where she peacefully left the earth.

Corky raised and took care of her family, friends, and children’s friends, too. If we had one word to describe Corky it would be FUN. She loved having fun with her husband, kids, grandkids, and friends. She was always the first one up to dance and was involved in numerous activities such as bunco, bridge, square-dancing, bowling, playing the piano, golf, and Brookhill Ladies Day. Corky would go to the grocery store and come home with a new friend. She liked and was liked by many.

 

 

5 Comments

  • Julie West and Family Posted January 29, 2018 9:56 pm

    We will always cherish the memories of Aunt Corky laughing and liighting up the room.

  • Julie West and Family Posted January 29, 2018 9:56 pm

    We will always cherish the memories of Aunt Corky laughing and lighting up the room.

  • Michael S Bendon Posted January 30, 2018 10:42 am

    I remember playing PONY league ball with Bob and coming to the house before games. Mrs. H. was always happy and was patient with us. God bless he and all the family. –Mike Bendon

  • Tim & Mary Coyle Posted January 30, 2018 12:30 pm

    Our deepest sympathy at Corky’s passing. She and Jack were wonderful neighbors to us on Springfield Dr. Their patio was a great place to chat, relax and maybe even share a beverage.

  • Mike and Marcie Klein Posted January 30, 2018 4:52 pm

    We will always fondly remember the twinkle in Corky’s eye, her infectious laugh, and her sense of humor. She will be missed!

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