Eunice Mae Hillman

Eunice Mae (Rose) Hillman of Viroqua, WI was born as the second of four children in Carroll, IA on April 20, 1935, to father, John Rose and mother, Helen (Jentzen) Rose. She has one surviving older sister, Ruth Ronfeldt (Overland Park, KS) and is preceded in death by her former husband, Leroy Hillman (NV) and two younger brothers, Frank Rose (Glidden, IA) and Bob Rose (AZ).

Eunice grew up on a farm in west central Iowa during the Depression when sustainable agriculture was vital for survival. She learned and developed skills in everything from home economics to crop production and animal husbandry. Mom knew how to take care of a litter of piglets, butcher a hog, render fat to lard, can meat, fruit, and vegetables, sew an apron, and then cook and serve a fabulous meal that could feed an army of hungry harvesters for noon dinner.

As a young woman, Eunice went to country school riding her horse, Sammy or Prince. She graduated from Carroll High School with a full ride basketball scholarship to Valparaiso, IN but turned it down to follow her older sister to Sioux City, Iowa Nursing School. After completing her RN degree, she married Leroy Hillman (Milwaukee, WI) and they settled down in Viroqua to raise their family.

Eunice’s great joy and blessing in life was her family. She is survived by four children: Karen Hillman (La Crosse, WI), Kathy (Hillman) and Richard Tubb (Alexandria, VA), Susanne Hillman (Bremerton, WA), and David Hillman (Viroqua, WI); three grandchildren: Katie, Hannah, and Samuel; and four great-grandchildren: Addison Grace, Emery Faith, Virginia Jane, and Caleb Mark.

From her grandchildren: Grandma was simply fun – bike rides together, trips Up North, lessons in the kitchen, even working in the garden and at Sunrise Apple Orchards was fun with Grandma. She “ran with us,” and in doing so she expanded our worlds. We never doubted she loved us with her time, words, letters, and all the little things she did to “spoil” us. To know you’re loved – what great riches she gave us!

Eunice was passionate about her faith. She spent many years teaching and encouraging the children and young families of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church as well as serving on the church council and on the board of Good Shepherd’s elderly ministry, The Bethel Home.

Eunice was professionally active in nursing throughout her entire adult life and into her retirement years. For 49 years, she served the greater Vernon County community through the Vernon Memorial Healthcare (VMH) system within the maternity ward, Emergency Room, and operating room. During the VMH expansion, Eunice transitioned out of patient care and into remodeling as the construction liaison, overseeing both hospital updates and the creation of the Medical Office Building.

Some of Eunice’s favorite hobbies included golfing, skiing, traveling and working in the garden. Eunice had a green thumb touch for flowers, including beautiful pots of geraniums, lantanas, and stargazer lilies. There was no better feeling than to put her hands into the warm soil of the garden, bringing back good memories of her youth on the farm.

However, her favorite pass time was retreating to her cabin outside of Radisson, WI. Countless happy hours were spent with her family swimming in the lake, building campfires, listening to the Loons, and frying up award-winning bass, crappie and perch caught in Blueberry Lake.

Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shelter of the Almighty.

Rest in peace. We love you.

A private graveside service will be held for Eunice’s family at the Viroqua Cemetery. Memorial trees may be purchased from a local nursery by clicking here .

Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home & Crematory in Viroqua is serving Eunice's family.

123 W. Decker Street

Viroqua, WI 54665

(608) 637-2100