Robert Hillstrom

Robert BobberHillstrom, age 68, of Pillager, passed away late Tuesday afternoon at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, September 13, 2008, at First Lutheran Church in Pillager. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery at Pillager. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 PM Friday at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter and for one hour prior to services at the Church on Saturday.
Robert Jon Hillstrom was born on October 1, 1939, in Jordan, MN, the son of Englof Budand Blanche (Apland) Hillstrom. He grew up and attended school through junior high in Jordan. The family then moved to Robbinsdale and he graduated from Robbinsdale High School in 1957. Following his schooling he served a tour of duty in the United States Coast Guard. On December 14, 1963, he was united in marriage to Sandra Begin in Watertown, SD. After their marriage the couple lived in Crystal, MN, and he went to work for Northern States Power as a warehouseman. In 1986 he took an early retirement, after 27 years of service to NSP. In 2002 Bobber and Sandie moved to Pillager where they designed and built their new home. He loved being with his family and built in many special features to the house for his kids and grandkids. Taking care of Sandie was extremely important to him, being a loving husband, father, and grandBob gave him great joy. He had a unique sense of humor and touched the lives of everyone who met him. Among the things he enjoyed doing were woodworking, fishing, deer hunting, and camping with his family. He was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Brooklyn Park and the American Legion Post #511 of Crystal.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Blanche; and a brother, Charles. Bobber will be lovingly missed by his wife of 45 years, Sandie; children, Curtis of Columbia Heights, Mark of Ogilvie, Kimme (John) Engebretsen of Crystal, and Cindi (Bill) Lindquist of Crystal; 5 grandchildren, Kristine, Kaetlyn, Hayley, Dixie, and Timothy; along with many good friends and neighbors.