Kathleen "Dee Dee" Hilker, 89, of Owatonna died on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Kathleen was born the daughter of Harry and Martha (Thoreson) Tollefson on June 16, 1934, in Pequaming, MI. She attended L'Anse High School, graduating in 1952. She continued her education at Lutheran Deaconess Hospital for nurses training. She then worked as an RN at Deaconess Hospital for a short time. She was united in marriage to Robert Hilker on June 22, 1957 in L'Anse, MI. They moved to Duluth where she worked at St. Mary's Hospital. In 1960, they moved to Owatonna. Dee Dee stayed home to raise her children and do volunteer work. She particularly enjoyed volunteering for Meals of Hope. Dee Dee also worked as a Para at the elementary schools in Owatonna. She was a devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church where she was a member of the Circle group. She also was a member of the Red Hats and a dinner group of friends. She enjoyed entertaining guests, cooking and gardening. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dee Dee and Robert served on mission trips in Germany, Haiti and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

She is survived by her husband Robert Hilker of Owatonna, daughters Rebecca (Randy) Johnson of Plymouth, Pamela (Blake) Witte of Eden Prairie, and Michelle (Jon) Ingvaldson of Owatonna; grandchildren Lindsey Johnson (Scott Werley), Andrew Johnson, Cayla Witte, Blake Kyle Witte, Logan Witte, Amanda (Eric) Hansen and Nicole (Josh) Zeman; great grandchildren Taitym, Zoey, Rylinn, Layne, Luke, and Riley. She is also survived by her sisters Pat Halverson of Lakeville and Sandy Tollefson of Owatonna. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Harlan Tollefson and Garry Tollefson.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 5, 2024, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church. Interment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery.