Terry Hilbers

Terry Lynn Hilbers was born in Sioux City, Iowa on September 3, 1952, and passed lovingly into the arms of Jesus on September 6, 2024 surrounded by both of his children. 

Terry did not have the easiest life, by any stretch of the imagination. Growing up with his brother, Kenny, in and out of foster care and group homes, things were never easy. In the 1970s, Terry enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War. After returning home, Terry worked in a variety of different roles - most notably, as a gas and diesel mechanic, a commercial bus driver, and as a cement and dump truck driver. He was a jack-of-all trades, but unlike the majority of people, he was a master of most. He was always tinkering, and inventing, and building, and fixing, and taking apart, and fixing again. As he grew older and into retirement, he enjoyed packing up his camper and pickup truck and traveling all over to visit friends near and far. His favorite place to rest, however, was always the Johnson Family Farm in Kintyre, ND. The memories of adventures with Terry at the farm will always be close to those who loved him. 

However, above all his other roles and passions, he was a father. Despite a difficult upbringing with limited father figures present in his life, he managed to learn so much from observing what he didn't want for his own children, and became the most incredible force of love and kindness for them against all the odds. He loved nothing more than camping, fishing, and hunting trips with the people he loved most. Terry was the most knowledgeable guide for all outdoor activities, and was always prepared for any mishaps along the way. He will, of course, always be remembered for his ridiculous sense of humor and his confident ability to crack a joke at literally any time. He turned strangers into best friends everywhere he went, and truly lived out what it means to forge your own path and live life to the fullest. He will be missed beyond what words can express, and leaves a legacy that demands to be passed on to future generations.

Terry is survived by his two children whom he loved dearly - Kayla (Aaron) Hilbers and Michael (Claire) Hilbers; his four grandchildren - Isiah (Courtney) Erlandson, Anna Boggs, Zariyah Brock, and Adonis Brock; and two great-grandchildren - Zailynn Erlandson and Isiah Erlandson Jr. Terry is also survived by foster brother - Tom Johnson, as well as many half siblings and foster siblings; along with his two dearest friends - Allen Shafer and Ray Albrecht. 

He is preceded in death by his biological mother - Beverly Wilson (Strom), and beloved foster parents Maggie and Ervin Johnson; as well as brother, Kenneth Hilbers, and foster brother, Calvin Johnson; along with four grandchildren who, though were only carried for a short time, now prepare a place for their grandpa in Heaven - Willow, Silas, Glenna, and Hazel Hilbers. 

Terry was laid to rest here on earth by immediate family and his closest friends in a private graveside service at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery on September 12, 2024.