Hilda Jean King, 61, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2019 surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with cancer. Hilda “Root” King was born on October 28, 1958 in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin to Herman and Arlene (Fish) Jones. Hilda was raised in the Waukon Junction for most of her younger years and attended school in Harpers Ferry, McGregor, Waterville, and Waukon. Hilda married Herman (Hammy) King on a blizzardy March 4, 1989 at Swede Ridge Church in rural McGregor, beginning the greatest love story ever told. Hammy and Hilda made their home in rural Waukon for several years before returning to Marquette.
Over the years, Hilda held many jobs, including clamming on the Mississippi River, factory work, bartending, cooking and cleaning; since 2005, Hilda worked beside her husband logging, operating the skidder and bucking logs. She loved the outdoors, especially ginseng and mushroom hunting.
Nothing brought Hilda more joy than talking about her two daughters and her grandchildren. Besides spending time with her family and friends, she had a passion for solving puzzles, “The Price is Right,” “Little House on the Prairie,” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.” She was an early riser and often said that the Late Late Show was “The Wheel of Fortune.” Hilda looked forward to Sunday Funday, rooting for the Chicago Bears and watching NASCAR. She never found a Euchre game she’d turn down and she loved to “load the gun” when she played Low Spade in the Hole.
Hilda is survived by her husband Herman of Marquette; two daughters, Rachel (Chad) Hackett of McGregor and Nicole (Nicholas) DeGidio of Prairie du Chien; grandchildren, Lindsey (Jared Kube) Liddiard of Monona and Brock and Brooke Hackett of McGregor; one step-grandson, Julian DeGidio of Prairie du Chien; thirteen siblings, Harold (Romey) Jones, Harlan (Patty) Jones, Henry (El Friede) Jones, Herman (Laura) Jones, Hope Garin, Holly (Steve) Wagner, Heidi Trotter, Helen (Bob Krousie) McGeough, Howard (Trisha) Jones, Hattie (Terry) Nemmers, Heather (Grant) Nuehring, Hal (Lisa) Jones, and Hillary (Tom) Ede; brother-in-law, Ed Young, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Harlene, and her special dog, Scrappy.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 5, 2019 from 4-7 pm at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, McGregor, Iowa and one hour before services at the funeral home on Wednesday.
Funeral Services will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, McGregor, Iowa with Deacon Pat Malanaphy as the Officiant.
Inurnment will be at Rossville Cemetery, Rossville, Iowa.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of McGregor, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.