Patty Hillmann
April 26, 1957 ~ September 14, 2018
Resided in:
Biltmore Lake, North Carolina
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Patricia “Patty” Hillmann passed away on Friday, September 14, 2018 at her home in Biltmore Lake, NC.
She was born on April 26, 1957 in Adrian, Michigan. Patty graduated from Marquette University in 1980, where she met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Hillmann. They were married at The Church of Gesu on the Marquette campus on August 16, 1980. Patty culminated her 25 year career at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee, WI as Director of Operations. Patty loved to travel, and to entertain family and friends with good food, fine wine, and music. Patty exhibited endless patience in listening to Dick’s recap of his golf exploits.
Patty will be greatly missed by her beloved husband of 38 years, Dick Hillmann; beloved mother-in-law, Ann Hillmann; sister-in-law, Pat Hillmann Shields (Richard); brother-in-law, Robert D. Hillmann II (Susan); sister-in-law, Christine Hillmann Dowdle (Raymond); nieces Sara Massie Blazquez (Manu), Katharine Chalk (Stephen), Stephanie Davis (Jon), Alena Dowdle; nephews Robert D. Hillmann III (Lynsey), Nicholas Dowdle; parents, Kenneth and Dorothy Grenquist; sister, Debbie Grenquist; brother, Mark Grenquist; sister-in-law Janelle Flowers Grenquist; nephew and godson, Luke Grenquist; niece and goddaughter, April Grenquist Blair (Jamie); nephews Paschal Grenquist (Yuuka) and Van Grenquist (Nadya); many great nieces and nephews and cousins; dear friends Kathy and Dale Grahn, and Tom and Connie Keller; and numerous lifelong Marquette friends, as well as many friends in Milwaukee, WI, Green Lake, WI, and Asheville, NC.
Patty is preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Irma and Kenneth Grenquist; father-in-law, Robert D. Hillmann, Sr.; and brother, David Grenquist.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joan of Arc Church, 768 Asbury Rd, Candler, NC on Friday, September 21 at 4 PM, immediately followed by a reception in the church hall.
There will be a Celebration of Patty’s Life on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 10:30 AM at the Chapel at Pilgrim Center, W1010 Spring Grove Rd, Ripon, WI. A reception will follow immediately at The Goose Blind in Green Lake.
In lieu of flowers, Dick requests that donations be made in Patty’s memory to the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, 13100 West Lisbon Rd, Suite 700, Brookfield, WI 53005.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden, NC is assisting the family.
My deepest condolences to Dick and all of the family and friends !
She was a wonderful woman !
Love you forever Aunt Patty.
Dick, my deepest sympathies. Patti was an amazing woman. I was fortunate to get to know her through working together at NM. She was caring, thoughtful, positive and always smiling. My heart goes out to you and I hope you find comfort in all the beautiful memories you shared.
Dick, our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Pat was a wonderful, caring and funny person and she will be greatly missed by Kathy, myself and many in her Northwestern Mutual family.
We were so saddened to hear the news, Patti’s kindness, caring, love of life and friends will always be remembered. She was one of a kind and we were grateful to have known her. Much love to you and your family. Terry and Michael
Dick
My deepest sympathies to you and your family for the loss of Patti.
She was a delight to be around and so energetic . I would like to help you in any way I can,
Very sad to hear this. Dick, so sorry for your loss’?you two seemed perfect together. Pat was one of the nicest people I knew, and she’ll live on in the memories of the many lives she touched!
Dear Dick and family,
I knew Patty at Northwestern Mutual, and we shared the same type of cancer and both commiserated and celebrated as she experienced her own process of overcoming its impact with her amazing, upbeat, and beautiful spirit. I loved and admired her, and will miss her. The world has lost a great role model and teacher about how to live a life of contribution. I hope all of you will find comfort in remembering what she offered to all of us.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Dick. I enjoyed the times I was able to spend with Patty. She was incredible.
I am so sorry to hear this… Patty was Beautiful inside and out… always a positive outlook and a zest for life….
Cheryl Svehlek
I’m so sorry for your loss. I knew Pat from Northwestern Mutual. She was a lovely lady, full of grace and kindness. She will be missed by so many people.
I am so sorry for your loss. Pat was one of the kindest people I have known. God Bless
Dick, our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Patti was beautiful in all ways. Heaven has just gained another angel.
Dick, Patty was such a wonderful person. Billy and I are so glad we got to spend time with you both in Asheville. She was fun, beautiful, kind, caring, and tough as nails. You know Aspen was looking for her on Friday night. It was an honor to know her.
Dick
Pat was my hiring manager at Northwestern Mutual over 18 years ago. She was one of the most gracious people I have ever met.
My Mom lives outside of Asheville, so I can only imagine the joy the two of you felt about making it your home.
All our love and prayers from your extended Northwestern Mutual family.
Dick I have known your family so many years. I remember when you two got married. Patty was so loving and careing. She will be missed by all that knew her. My prayers are with all the family.
Dick, I am very sorry to hear of Patty passing. She was a wonderful boss of mine at NM. Will always remember her kind heart and smiling face. Always thinking of others. You and your family will be in my heart, thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Dear Dick and family, Dianne and I want to express our deepest sympathies in the loss of your precious Patty. We are so saddened. She was such a delight to know and work with. She was always positive and demonstrated such courage and determination in the face of her illness. May she Rest In Peace. We are praying for you as grieve for this saintly lady. With Love, Len Stecklein
My sympathies to Dick and all Pat’s loved ones.
I fondly remember working with Pat at Northwestern Mutual — when she left one of her many leadership positions, it was her gracious recommendation that enabled me to succeed her in the role. The world is a little less joyous today without Pat in it. Pat was smart, savvy and had a clear sense of true north. She will be missed.
Pat was always smiling, positive, and making others feel good. I so enjoyed working with her, she put everything into all she did. She had so much courage and was an inspiration to all.
My deepest sympathy to you Dick. I had the pleasure of working and receiving encouraging, uplifting and positive words of encouragement from your dear Patty. She will truly be missed. My prayers of comfort and peace to you and the family. Rest peacefully Pat
LaShonda
Our deepest sympathy to you on your wife’s passing.
I’m so sorry to hear about Patty, Dick. She was so lovely and I know she will be greatly missed. Prayers for you and your family.
Very very sad to hear about this. Dick, my deepest sympathies to you and your family. Pat was my boss at one time at Northwestern Mutual and she was a wonderful, caring and funny person and she will be greatly missed by myself and many at Northwestern Mutual.
My deepest sympathy and prayers for comfort and healing. Pat was instrumental in hiring me at Northwestern Mutual and my life was changed in so many positive ways since. I will forever be grateful for her kindness and support. Because of her example, I am a better person.
Richard,
I was saddened to learn of Patty’s death. Please know we have been thinking of you and your family.
Thomas B. McMahon
‘Tommy’
Dick, your wife Patty was an incredible human being. I think I can honestly say she was everyone’s friend. She had the sweetest most gentle heart in a person I’ve ever met. You and your wife are in the Clarke’s Paryers. Please tell us if you need anything.
Dick – she was on my mind and was going to call when I got notification from former Green Lake friends. We are deeply saddened to hear that she passed. You both extended your Green Lake home to us and for the very short time we spent we felt your sincerity and concern for others. She was such a great lady with class, adventure, love and always had the best smile in the world. She is at peace and confident she is always with us as an angel in heaven. Please try to continue on as she would have wanted. Our prayers are with you at this time to bring peace to your soul.
Dick, I am heartbroken by your loss of Patty. Everytime we were together, I could tell how lucky you were to have such a wonderful partner in life and I always thought you deserved her too. She was a fabulous person and the two of you were a fabulous couple! I am so sad for your loss and sad that we never kept in touch. Please accept my sincerest sympathies.