Earl Freeman Hillesland, 82, of Wadena, passed away Jan. 1, 2009, at Tri-County Hospital in Wadena.
He was born July 30, 1926, to Didrick and Alfreda (Freeman) Hillesland in Northwood, N.D. He was baptized and confirmed in Aneta, and graduated with the Aneta High School class of 1945. He attended Reedly Junior College in Reedly, Calif., and went on to attend North Dakota State University to receive his bachelor's degree. He continued at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks to earn his master's degree in education administration.
He married Janice Jacobson on June 15, 1955, in Audubon. He served as a school superintendent for 30 years in the Audubon, Pequot Lakes, Upsala, and Parkers Prairie school districts. He will also be remembered as a real estate broker and appraiser until retiring in 2006. He enjoyed golfing, playing cards, working crossword puzzles, attending church activities, and spending time with his family and friends.
Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 5 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena with the Rev. Rob Nelson officiating. Interment was in the Wadena Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers were Heidi McAlester, Maggie Ronning, Matthew Greenwaldt and Brandon Greenwaldt. Active pallbearers were Bradley Miller, Andrew Hillesland, Jacob Hillesland, Kyle Ronning, Kirby Ronning, John Hanson and Michael Jacobson. Arrangements were with the Johnson Memorial Home in Wadena ( www.johnsonmemorialhome.com ).
Survivors include his wife, Janice; son, Brian (Patti) of Wadena; daughters, Nancy (Rick) Ronning of Blaine, Wendy (Dale) Kelly of Huntington, Ark., and Amy (Bryan) Greenwaldt of Wadena; nine grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and brother, Gene Hillesland of Tallahasse, Fla. and Aneta, N.D.
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He was preceded in death by his parents, Didrick and Alfreda.
