Jeannette ‘Jan’ Hillegas

Jeannette “Jan” Hillegas, 82, of Charles City, passed away Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Reverend Tom Heathershaw officiating. Burial will follow at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in rural Charles City.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City with a Rosary prayer at 5 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Jeannette Rose (Tilkes) Hillegas was born July 12, 1941, to John and Leone (Diederich) Tilkes in New Hampton, IA. She graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in North Washington, IA in 1959. She worked at Mercy Medical Center (St. Joseph’s Hospital) in New Hampton, IA from 1959-1962 as a Nurse’s Assistant then Jan worked at the Floyd County Medical Center (Floyd County Memorial Hospital) in Charles City, IA from 1962 as a Nurse’s Assistant for Medical, Surgical, and Obstetrics until retirement in 2004.

Jan married Brian McClure on June 26, 1963, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Washington, IA. They shared a lot of love and joy raising two children together for 30 years until Brian’s passing in 1993. Jan was married to Robert (Bob) Hillegas from Sept. 12, 2004, until Bob’s passing in 2016.

Jan loved spending time with family and friends. Jan was a hard worker, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and a generous and supportive friend. She said she could carry on a conversation with a fence post if the fencepost would talk back. She was a huge Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins fan. She was an avid supporter of the Hospital Heartbeats softball team and never missed a game. Jan greatly enjoyed playing cards and was a member of the Hospital Card Club for many years. Anyone who knew Jan well always knew she had a book with her. Jan enjoyed attending Jam sessions.

Jan is survived by her daughter: Kim (Jeff) Claypool, Ottumwa, IA. Grandchild: Samantha Claypool, Newton, IA. Daughter-in-law: Christine McClure, New Hope, MN. Sister, Grace Pittman, Casa Grande, AZ.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband’s Brian McClure and Bob Hillegas. Son: Chris McClure. Parents: John and Leone (Diederich) Tilkes. Brothers: Lawrence Tilkes. Nick Tilkes.  Sisters: Sr. Lois Tilkes, Carolyn Havel, and Madelyn Lansing. Brother-in-law: Richard Havel.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.