Neil C. Hilgenberg, 86, Shawano, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at his home. Born on March 31, 1923, in Kaukauna, he was the son of the late Clemence and Amanda (Neuman) Hilgenberg. Neil graduated from Kaukauna High School and was recognized in 1989 as the Kaukauna High School Alumni Rallymaster. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy for six years, was the youngest Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in April 1946 as a Chief Electricians Mate. In 1945, he married LaVera A. Schroeder who would be his lifelong partner and constant companion. Together they proudly raised their four sons residing in Shawano since 1955. After being actively employed as an electrician, as Vice President of Wright Broiler Co., and a salesman for Paul Host Chevrolet, Neil became a licensed real estate broker and opened Hilgenberg Realty in 1963, the beginning of a dominant real estate company in northeastern Wisconsin yet to this day. Hilgenberg was one of the first real estate brokers in the area to employ sales associates, was a strong advocate of education and was a founding officer of the Shawano-Menominee-Oconto Board of Realtors. As Past President, he also was recognized as the Realtor of the Year. He also was elected to the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Realtors Association and earned his Graduate of Realtors Institute Certification. In 1966, Hilgenberg graduated from the Reisch Worldwide College of Auctioneering, earning the designation of Colonel and formed a long lasting personal and business relationship with Clarence Sturgul forming Hilgenberg-Sturgul Corporation actively buying and selling farms throughout northeastern Wisconsin. In the early 1970's, Hilgenberg expanded his brokerage operations to Clintonville and Green Bay and subsequently affiliated with Coldwell Banker Real Estate, a worldwide real estate organization. He continued to be actively engaged in the real estate business, as well as real estate development through Hilgenberg & Associates until December 2009. A strong family advocate, Neil and Vera devoted their lives to raising four sons. He was an active community supporter both as a volunteer and financially. He was a long time member and Past President of Shawano Rotary, Past President of Shawano Industrial Development Corporation, Chairman of the Spirit of Shawano Parks project and an active member of the Shawano American Legion and 40et8. He supported many worthwhile community projects including the Shawano Medical Center Foundation, the Shawano Area Waterways Association, Shawano School building projects, the Shawano County Republican Party and was a life member of the National Association of Realtors and the Realtors Political Action Committee. Neil was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Shawano as well as a special friend of the First Presbyterian Church of Shawano.

Neil is survived by his wife of 64 years, Vera; their four sons, Michael, Rancho Mirage, Calif.; Terry (Bonnie), Shawano; Philip (Kathy) and Mark (Debbie), Green Bay; 10 grandchildren, Heath and Eunice of Palm Desert, Calif.; Heidi, Kansas City, Mo.; Holly and Chad, Minneapolis, Minn.; Scott, Madison; and Christopher, Elizabeth, Matty and Kyle, Green Bay; a great-granddaughter, Quinn, Palm Desert, Calif.; and several nephews, nieces and cousins.

Neil was preceded in death by his parents; and three sisters, Ione Mislinski, Francis LaBorde, and Arlene Thimke.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano with the Rev. Len Evers officiating. Military Rites will be conducted by the Shawano American Legion Post #117 at the church following the service. Burial will be in the Lake Drive Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the church on Saturday after 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Swedberg Funeral Home in Shawano is assisting the family with the arrangements.www.swedbergfuneralhome.com.