George H. Hilts II, MD, 87, died Tuesday, August 28 at Altru Medical Center in Grand Forks, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, September 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cando, with Fr. Joseph D'Aco, celebrant. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Cando. Visitation will be at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home on Sunday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the Hal Parker Post # 79 Cando American Legion & North Dakota Military Funeral Honors.

Dr. George Hilts II was born January 4, 1925 in Bowbells, ND to Dr. George H. and Alma L. (Dorsey) Hilts.  He was the youngest of four boys. He graduated from Bowbells High School, served in the U.S. Navy, and attended school at the University of North Dakota for his undergraduate degree, attended medical school at the University of Iowa, and completed his residency training at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Lafayette, Indiana.

He married Flora E. Koch on November 17, 1946 and together they raised fifteen children:  three sons Dr. George "Rocky" (Jean) of  Bismarck, ND; Hal of Bend, OR;  John "Bill" (Holly) of Bellingham, WA;   twelve daughters: Sheila (Keith) Tang of Kronenwetter, WI;  Brandy (Randall) Kumagai of Peoria, AZ; Leigh Porter of Atascadero, CA; Cassie (Terry DeMars) of Grand Forks, ND; Lisa Hilts of St. Paul, MN; Nan Hilts of Grand Forks, ND;  Tina Hilts of Dania Beach, FL;  Mauri (James Olsen) of Cando, ND; Toni Hilts of Denver, CO; Georgia (Scott) Knoke of Devils Lake, ND;  Marci Hilts of Grand Forks, ND  and Monica (Dave) Ferrera of Cota DeCasa, CA.

He was an amateur radio operator for 73 years with his initial call sign of W0DAO and then later he was known by W0JW.  While in the Navy he boxed in fleet competitions and prior to that boxed in Golden Gloves amateur boxing.   An avid golfer he played regularly at the Cando Golf Course, and for the past few years volunteered his time helping to maintain the golf course and the clubhouse.  Travel was another passion of his, which he generously shared with his family. He hosted many family trips, making sure to include all his children and grandchildren.  Planning these trips and seeing them to fruition was one of his greatest joys.

He was a family practice medical doctor at the Palmer Clinic for 37 years before his retirement in 1991.  He was active in the ND Medical Association, serving as President, chairman of the local district and was on the legislative committee, he also served on the ND Blue Cross/Blue Shield advisory board.  He was an avid supporter of the Cando Cubs athletic teams and received an honorary letterman jacket from them.  He had a dry sense of humor and enjoyed telling jokes to brighten the day for those around him. His sense of humor will be missed. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.    He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Flora, who passed on October 29, 1992, four grandsons; Kevin Tang, Bryan McCormick, Steven Kumagai, Peder Hilts, and daughter-in-law: Donna Kay Hilts (Braun); brothers: Wilfred, Frederick and William. He is survived by 15 children, 30 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.  .


Condolences:

Sincerest condolences to the Hilts family.  Dr. Hilts was one of those extraordinary people I had the privilege to meet in my life.  I remember as a child attending mass at Sacred Heart Church and an entire pew (plus) would be filled with the family.  Dr. Hilts had a profound love of children - most definitely his own.  He delivered my son, Arthur Fredric Thompson, in 1978.  My husband and I (in later years) would see him out on the golf course or working in the cemetery when we would visit the Botz plot.  He was truly on honorable, and much loved, man.

Barb Botz-Thompson



Our deepest condolences to The Hilts Family.  Dr.

Hilts was a warm and loving man, he always had a joke for anyone.  He has left behind very fond memories and its nice to know how many lives he has touched.  Our prayers are with you at this time and may God Bless all of you in your hour of need.

Donna & Doralee Dale



My sincere condolences to the Hilts family.  Doc Hilts slapped my posterior a number of times (to give a shot) at the Clinic.  He was always calm and treated his patients with great respect. He is probably out on the "back nine" giving Jesus a run for his money!

Terry Hogenson



I am from Bisbee--He was my doctor for many years.  My condolences to the family.

Audrey(Lien) Hoff



Sincere condolences to the family.

Maury and Sheila Blada



To the family of Dr.George Hilts:

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I grew up on a farm west of Cando and he was our family doctor for all of us kids.  He also delivered my first baby.  What an awesome Dr!! He never looked at the clock and always had time to spend with us.  More of today's doctors should have been around him as he would have been a great mentor and showed them how to be good doctors.  You were lucky to have such a great dad.  He will be missed greatly.

Deb Overby-Jasper



Our heartfelt condolences goes out the whole Hilts family.

Doc Hilts was one of those individuals that could make you feel better, just by the smile on his face.  I (Paul) will never forget going to Palmer Clinic for either an appointment or for physicals (in the fall for football).  You are a hero, and will truly be missed.

Paul Curl & Sara (Oakland) Curl



My condolences to the family.  George was one of the kindest men I ever met.  He was a classmate of my husband, Frank Fuhrman at U of I. We met at a class reunion just months after the loss of his wife.  When Frank passed the following year, George asked if he could do anything.  We live in WA.  He became my pen pal, always listening, never judging, quietly giving solace.  I will always remember you fondly, George.  I'm happy you are with your love of so many years.  You were a man of true worth.

Lynne (Fuhrman) Spolar



I am so sorry to hear of your father's passing.  I so very much wanted to go to Cando and meet him, but didn't get there, altho we did correspond by e-mail very so often.  My Dad was David Ira Hilts, your Dad's uncle, and he passed away at the age of 87 on August 29th 1975. I hope you find solace and peace with the many wonderful memories you have of your Dad.  He is now in Heaven re-united with his loving wife.

All of you are in my thoughts and Prayers.

With deepest sympathy

Brian and Linda (Hilts) Petays

Rocanville Saskatchewan, Canada



Dr. Hilts always had a great demeanor in serving our family and I'm sure all other families in town!  I grew up with many of the Hilts family and just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Larry Agneberg



My condolences go out to the family of Dr. Hilts--To Leigh Porter, you are in my thoughts and prayers..in case you have forgotten me, I worked with you in the Public Health Lab in Grand Forks, ND. I moved to Bismarck, ND when the Bismarck and Grand Forks Labs were consolidated.

Take care, Leigh

Ken Thiede



To the Hilts family,

A caring, loving father is one who cares enough to let each one of his children know he is their father,that he will see to it that they are fed,  clothed, have a warm bed to sleep in and be safe at all times. He demands respect for their mother for he knows that is their anchor and his own as well. Your Father was this kind of father.  While I barely knew him in person, I see this in his children.  His spirit truly lives on in you! Our deepest sympathies to you and your family.

Love, Ben & Diane Roller



I was very sorry to hear about George's death. His e-mails were great and the wisdom of many topics, from UND sports to travel.  He cared deeply for his large family and talked about them often. I will miss his communications,cell phone or e-mail.--Sincerely Barb Hangsleben,EGF.Mn.

God Bless You!



Our sincere condolences to the Hilts Family!  Your father always took great care of the Bill & Iris Germain family.  Our prayers are with you at this difficult time.  May God Richly Bless You!

~ Pat & Darlene Germain

Bismarck, ND ~



Doc is the reason I trust small-town medical folks. He was my (and later, our) Go To Guy for ... what? Most of 35 years?

He always cheered me up (except for the time he ... um ... well, that's not for discussion here ... I might merely say that it involved a LOT of PAIN!), and I was always impressed with his willingness to spend an extra minute (or six) to describe so very clearly the nature of the problem ... or to talk about life around Towner County.

He never failed to remind me, however, that I was the ONLY patient he'd ever had, who managed to shoot himself in the thumb, with a .22 Blank. He never let me forget it.

And he never gave me any reason or excuse to want for someone else, to whom I would trust my medical care. (He referred my wife once, to Fargo, but he'd already nailed the diagnosis before she left the hospital. THAT is why I trusted him.) Oh. He also delivered our first baby, but he was "attending a seminar" ... in Hawai'i (?) ... when our son was born ... Strangely enough, he'd chosed an EXCELLENT substitute to cover in his absence ... rather like his own diagnostic abilities, he picked another good one. Since Doc retired and we moved away, I've missed our conversations.

I'll remember him, and all of you, his family, in my prayers.

Jamie Bradley



I wish to express my sympathy to George's extended family.  He was a great man and my fellow "hams" and I will miss him very much.

Mary Carlson, WA0CSL



When I was younger, I remember those visits to the Palmer Clinic and Dr.Hilts.  He was a excellent doctor for me and all the Koshney kids.  Dr. Hilts will always be known for his jokes and to me just a very nice person.  My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.

Beverly Koshney



To the Hilts family:  My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have fond memories of your dad--walking the golf course (fast!), taking care of me when I was a sick little kid, at Mass, and giving me a kindly but needed talking-to when I just about nicked him on his bike driving Frank Parker's pick-up.  A good man.

Tom Vitt



It was so sad to hear of Dr. Hilts' passing.  He was a wonderful physician and a really fine person.  I truly admired and respected him. I went to him as a patient many times in my younger days and he was always such a compassionate person.  I have many fond memories of him.  My condolences to the family.

Marlene Morgan Strand



Rest in peace, George. You go to a place where all sickness, suffering, and sighing have fled away, in sweet repose. To your family, please accept my sincerest condolences. You were fortunate to have such a caring father and grandfather. George was such a dear, and I appreciated him welcoming me as a Hilts descendent to his family. He was my dad's first cousin. We shared as much genealogy as we could with each other. He was so interested. Gd bless him.

Dianne Scott Farah