Corrine (Connie) Allegra Conyers Hildebrand was born at home, in Whiteside County, Illinois, on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1928, to William Andrew Conyers and Ida Susie Fronsdahl Conyers. She passed away peacefully on May 28, 2016, at home in Keaau, Hawaii, from a heart condition. Her daughter Gina was by her side and loving "adopted" daughters Maggie Ember, Susan Thomas and Pastor Debbie Martin.
Connie graduated from Fulton Community High School in 1946 and entered St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing, in Davenport, Iowa, where she earned her Registered Nurse (R.N.) in 1949. Connie worked as an operating room scrub nurse at St. Luke's Hospital, at Glockner Penrose Hospital, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Jane Lamb Memorial Hospital, in Clinton, Iowa. Connie worked part time at Jane Lamb Hospital while their children were growing up, then moving on to become the Director of the Medical Unit for more than twenty years. She retired in 1988.
Connie and her husband Don joined the First Presbyterian Church, in Clinton, Iowa before their marriage, August 26, 1950, where she was a member for 50 years. Connie became a widow in 1996, upon the sudden death of her lifelong love. They were married for 45years. They owned a 40 acre farm within the city limits and their plan had always been to subdivide the farm. Connie stayed in Iowa to see that plan come alive as Hildebrand Subdivision # One. She is a Past Worthy Matron, Life Member, Order of the Eastern Star.
December, 1999 Connie moved to Newport, Oregon to be near their daughter. She transferred her church membership to the First Presbyterian Church, in Newport, becoming very active. She served 6 years as a Deacon, was Secretary of Presbyterian Women for one year, and volunteered in the church office for several years. She was on several committees, a member of the Calvin Group and Wednesday Bible Study. She was co-chair of the first Time and Talent committee. Connie loved her family and friends and especially her church family. Her proudest moment was when she was chosen as Presbyterian Woman of the Year in 2006. In 2012, Dancing Moon Press published her book of short stories she wrote over the span of ten years. They are memories of her life of 84 years. The book is titled "Come Journey with Me". Connie moved to Keaau, HI, on the Big Island, with her daughter, December 2013. She loved the climate, the flowers, the people and the new church family she found at Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, son Mark Allen, sister Catherine Berniece Conyers Schaefer, brother William Ivan Conyers, brother Russell Conyers, niece Cynthia Schaefer, niece Mary Ann Conyers. Connie is survived by her daughter Gina Hildebrand Luckritz, sons Russell Hildebrand, Major Charles Hildebrand, 8 grandchildren, Marcy, Katie, Bradley, Jennifer, Emily, Hale, Laura, Julia, and 6 great grandchildren, Shelby, Owen, Mason, Brooke, Alyssa, Kathleen.
A visitation will be from 12 pm to 2 pm, Saturday, July 23, at Lemke Funeral Homes - South Chapel, in Clinton, Iowa, followed by a graveside service and interment next to her husband Don, at Clinton Lawn Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, in Newport, Oregon, at 1:00 pm, Saturday, August 13. A Celebration of Life will be held in Hawaii at a date and time yet to be arranged.

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