Elizabeth “Betty” May Hillman, 98, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, February 25, 2013, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.
She was born May 1, 1914, in Duluth, Minnesota, the daughter of Thomas and Emma (Goodhue) Polkinghorn. She grew up in Proctor, Minnesota, and after her parents death, she and her brother were raised by their aunt and uncle, Edgar and Rose Conliff. She graduated from Proctor High School in 1931, and then attended Duluth State Teacher’s College. She graduated with a degree in education in 1935. She taught school in Cambridge, Minnesota.
On June 17, 1938, she married Warren F. Hillman. They lived in Two Harbors until 1947 when they moved to Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. In 1954 they moved to Pine City, Minnesota, and owned a Coast To Coast hardware store for 32 years. She moved to Fergus Falls in 1978 following the death of her husband on November 17, 1977.
Betty was a member of the Eastern Star, Past Matrons, Shrine Auxiliary, Federated Church, and a volunteer at Lake Region Hospital for 25 years.
Preceding her in death were her parents, husband, brother, Henry Polkinghorn, and grandson, Scott Pocta.
Survivors include her two daughters: Carol (Duane) Pocta of Underwood, and Nancy (Sheldon) Weeks of Clearwater; four grandchildren: Stacy (Neal) Oberg, Christopher (Krista) Pocta, Brian (Kelly) Weeks, and Shawn Weeks; and six great-grandchildren: Brett, Cassie, Brooklyn, Sidney, Benjamin and Tyler.
Memorials are preferred to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
A Memorial Service will be held on April 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the PioneerCare Celebration Center in Fergus Falls, with Chaplain Harry Olson and Reverend Douglas Dent officiating. Interment will take place at Forest Hills Cemetery in Duluth, Minnesota at a later date.