Allan Hilgemann

Allan F. "Al" Hilgemann, age 61, of Marathon, died unexpectedly while on a hunting trip in Colorado with family and friends.

He was born January 18, 1954, in Wausau, the eldest son of Forrest R. Hilgemann and the former Blanche M. Ryan. Al was a 1972 graduate of Wausau East High School. Upon graduation, Al furthered his education at North Central Technical College, receiving a degree from the Machine Tool Program.

Subsequently, Al began his working career with Lemke Industrial Machine as a machinist and was soon elevated to a foreman position. Later, he was hired by J I Case and was engaged in research and development at that corporation. In 1992, Al established his own business, A H Machine, Inc., in Marathon which he successfully operated.

Hunting was a passion for Al and he enjoyed hunting in northern Wisconsin and was an avid elk hunter in Montana and Colorado; he also enjoyed bird hunting in South Dakota. Al served on the NTC Machine Tool Advisory Committee and was a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. In addition, he was a member of St. Anne Catholic Church in Wausau.

On December 20, 2014, he married the love of his life, the former Sue A. Eschenbach, at St. Anne Catholic Church, which was the first marriage for both.

Al was known for his sense of humor and wit that all of his family and friends appreciated. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

In addition to his wife, Sue, survivors include brothers and sisters, Mary (Dennis) Dettmering, Deerbrook, Ruth (Keith) McElhaney, Wausau, Sue (Robert Buchanan) Hilgemann, Madison, Mark (Sandy) Hilgemann, New Berlin, John (Sandy) Hilgemann, Lake Tomahawk, and Paul (Rene) Hilgemann, Hudson; father-in-law, Warren Eschenbach; sister-in-law, Paula (Jeff) Waeghe; and nieces and nephew, Emily (Zac Stockero) McElhaney, Sarah McElhaney, Kristin, Kaitlyn, and Kendra Hilgemann, Audrey and Andrew Buchanan, and Amelia Waeghe.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 12 noon on Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at St. Anne Parish, 700 West Bridge St., Wausau, with Rev. Alan Burkhardt officiating. Family and friends may call beginning at 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, at Helke Funeral Home, Wausau, with a prayer service beginning at 8:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday beginning at 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.

You may sign the family guestbook at www.helke.com.

The family respectfully requests that memorials be directed to North Central Technical College for a machine tool scholarship that will be established in his name.