Hilda Danowsky

HILDA CATHERINE SOPHIA DANOWSKY

Cedar Rapids

Early Sunday morning, Oct. 30, 2016, the Lord took Hilda Danowsky to be with Him in her eternal resting place. She passed peacefully in her sleep. Hilda was blessed with a long, rich life. She was able to celebrate her 100th birthday last November at Claremont Manor in Claremont, Calif., surrounded by family and friends. She would have celebrated her 101st birthday on Nov. 12.

Hilda was born in Fairmont, N.D., the sixth child of a family of 13 children. Her parents were Carl and Elsee Mahler. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Tyler, N.D. Hilda and Dick were married in 1939 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Norwood, Iowa. She had eight brothers and four sisters.

Hilda was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; and her son, Steven; as well as granddaughters, Sheri and Christy.

Hilda is survived by five living children, 15 grandchildren, over 35 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Family was always the most important thing in her life and she considered motherhood as the highest calling that God had given her.

Hilda was a longtime resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church and Bethany Lutheran Church. She served the church as chairwoman of the Parent Teacher League at Trinity, and she held several leadership positions in the Lutheran Woman's Missionary League at Trinity and Bethany in Cedar Rapids. She continued her church activities in Alexandria, Minn., at Zion and St. Luke's in Claremont.

Dick and Hilda retired to a lakefront property in Alexandria. They entertained many friends and relatives. Hilda was noted for serving fantastic meals. After the death of her husband in September 2000, Hilda moved from Alexandria to Clarement Manor, where she spent her final years.

Hilda was able to pursue her passion of writing, attending creative writing classes and publishing a book of short stories about her early days in North Dakota. She wrote new member profiles for the Manor newsletter. She also was an accomplished artist, painting several pictures, which are proudly displayed in the homes of her family.

Hilda had many friends and was dearly loved by her family. She shared her positive outlook on life with all those who knew her. She rarely complained and was able to find the bright side with any setback, trusting in God's wisdom and the power of prayer.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 12, at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 2050 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont, Calif., at 3 p.m. Food and refreshments will be served at the church following the service. A second memorial service will be held in Cedar Rapids in the spring of next year. Her remains will be buried with her beloved husband. Details will be announced at a later date.

Memorials may be sent to Phil Danowsky, P.O. Box 206, Cotopaxi, CO 81223. Memorials will be sent on to Concordia University and the Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis. Please indicate a preference if desired. All unmarked memorials will be evenly split between these charities.