Roberta Hilderbrand

ROBERTA MAE HILDERBRAND, 90, of Ogallala, passed away Saturday, October 23, 2021, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg with her loving husband, Chuck, by her side.

Roberta was born on November 2, 1930, at Ogallala, Nebraska to Robert and Bernadette (McCroden) Smolczyk. She graduated from Ogallala High School.

On August 30, 1950, Roberta married Charles "Chuck" Hilderbrand at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala. Their union would be blessed with three children, Michael Robert, Cathleen Marie, and Cheryl Renee.

In her early years, Roberta worked at a jewelry store and at a local dentist's office. She also spent time working at the First National Bank of Ogallala and at a tax accounting firm. However, her most valuable and memorable career was raising her three children and supporting her husband.

Roberta was known as a fabulous cook and it filled her with joy when it came to sharing her table with relatives and friends. She created a variety of delicious meals for her family.

Roberta also loved to play cards, was known to spend time with her friends for a game of bridge or pinochle, and she was competitive when playing progressive rummy with her family.

Roberta enjoyed playing golf with her husband and was an avid member of both the ladies golf and bowling leagues, she loved to fish and she camped with family at their cabin and on the beach at Lake McConaughy. Roberta was also a true Husker fan, known for showing her passion after every play. She loved to travel, especially in their RV, particularly when the destination was to Arizona to see family and friends. Perhaps most of all, Roberta cherished the times she was able to watch her grandchildren grow into adulthood, feeling joyful as each began to marry, have their own children and raise them in the faith.

Roberta was a faithful Catholic and fostered a lifelong devotion to Christ through meditation of the Living Rosary. Her Catholic faith and dedication to the Rosary was something she shared daily with her husband for over 35 years. Roberta's love of Jesus and Mary and her strong Catholic faith made her relentless in imparting her faith to her children, which she saw as part of her vocation of being a mother.

Roberta was a longtime member of St. Luke's Catholic Church, had been a very active member of the Altar Society and she lent her voice to the church choir for many years. Roberta also volunteered many years at St. Luke's Catholic School for playground, recess, and classroom duties.

Roberta was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Bernadette Smolcyzk; a brother, Bernard Smolczyk; sister-in-law, Sharyn Saner and daughter-in-law, Connie Hilderbrand.

Survivors include her husband of 71 years, Chuck Hilderbrand of Ogallala; children, Mike Hilderbrand of Gothenburg, Cathy (Dave) Souder of Omaha, Cheri Hilderbrand (Shane Alexander) of Omaha; six grandchildren, Katie (Adam) Mach, Matt (Allison) Hilderbrand, Mark (Emily) Hilderbrand, Nick (Alex) Souder, Michelle (Zach) Petersen, Sarah Souder; twelve great-grandchildren, plus two more on the way.

A memorial has been established in Roberta's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the Mass will be streamed live.

Funeral Mass will be on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 10:00 am at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Ogallala with Fr. Bryan Ernest as Celebrant. Interment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.

Visitation will be on Friday, from 1:00 pm until 4:30 pm, at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala, with the family receiving friends from 3:30 pm until 4:30 pm. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 6:00 pm at the church on Friday.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.