Geralyn Ardelle (Van der Veen) Hillenbrand

Geralyn ‘Gerri’ Hillenbrand, 90, of Willmar died at her home on Sunday, November 23rd surrounded by family. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 6th at 1:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior at Rock of Life Church in Willmar. 

Gerri was born January 27, 1935, in Willmar to Jake and Martha (Apol) VanDerVeen. She attended Willmar Public Schools. Gerri was united in marriage with Mel Hillenbrand on August 2, 1952. Gerri graduated from the cosmetology program at Willmar Vo-Tech in June 1969. She opened her own beauty shop at her home in rural Willmar until retirement in the early 1990s. Mel and Gerri left the Willmar area and divided their time living in Rapid City, SD, and Mesa, AZ, until 2005 when they returned to Willmar. 

Gerri had a strong Christian faith and was very active at her church where she was a charter member. She served on many committees, and her passion was teaching the Friendship series. She was known for her knitting and if she knew you, you would walk away with one of her famous dishcloths. Gerri played countless hours of Rummikub with her family (and she almost always won).  

Gerri is survived by her children, Karen Nelson, Doug (Linda) Hillenbrand and Jann (Teri) Solinger Hillenbrand; 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Robert Hillenbrand and sister-in-law, Virginia Gilbertson (Hillenbrand); and several cousins, nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mel; her son-in-law Gary Nelson; brothers and sisters-in-law, LuVern and Donna Hillenbrand, Jeanette Hillenbrand, Roger and Judy Hillenbrand, Joan Hillenbrand and Rodney Hillenbrand.  

The family would like to thank Hospice for their compassionate care of Gerri. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Centra Care Hospice. 

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