Patricia J. Hillyer

Patricia J. Hillyer, age 86, of Kearney, Nebraska passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at her home. Family services will be held at a later date. There will be no visitation. Memorials are suggested to the family, to be designated later. Please visit www.hlmkfuneral.com to leave a tribute or message of condolence. Horner Lieske McBride & Kuhl Funeral and Cremation Services of Kearney is in charge of arrangements. Patricia was born on August 12, 1937 in Merino, CO to Jake and Edith (Schreiner) Krum. She was the second of their two daughters. Pat married Robert C. Hillyer and together they had 6 children, 11 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren. Pat grew up in the Sterling area, located in northeastern Colorado. She lived a short while on the northeast seaboard, specifically Connecticut. Later they returned to the Northeast Colorado area, eventually settling in Chappell, Nebraska where her children grew up. When she was raising her children her home was always open to all her children’s friends, no matter the day or hour. She prepared many impromptu meals and snacks for her kids' friends, especially as they became teens. She always had an ear ready to listen and a heart big enough to take it all in without judgment. She loved being a part of their lives, whenever they opened them to her. Pat eventually moved to Gadsden, Alabama when her youngest daughter moved there. After a few years they returned to Nebraska, living in Lodgepole and Chappell before moving to Kearney in 2010. Pat was a foodie before there was a name for it. She really loved to eat, go out to eat, and to eat, no matter the occasion. If she could have her family together to eat, that made it all the better. She loved Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings and the associated meals with her family. These meals always included several special family favorite recipes and later they started to include a new recipe each time, just for fun. Pat also enjoyed her family, needlepoint, pets, gardening and flowers, going for walks, coloring, reading books, being inappropriately funny, messing with her kids minds and joking around, and football. Mom, We love you deeply with our whole hearts and will miss you forever and endlessly. “ I can only imagine, when that day comes, when I find myself, standing in the Son…” Surviving relatives include her children, Karen Borchert of Casper, WY, Dave (Debbie) Hillyer of Sterling, CO, Leann (Jeff) Clark of Lyons, NE, Tara Fitzsimmons of Pleasanton, CA, and Tamra (John) McFee of Kearney, NE. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Edith Krum; her sister, Helen Hoppal and her daughter, Patricia Yvonne “Vonnie” Hillyer

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Patricia J. Hillyer

August 12, 1937 - October 26, 2023