Hilmer F. Magnus

   Hilmer F. Magnus, age 97, of St. Peter, IL went home to be with the Lord at 4:28 a.m. Sunday, December 19, 2021 at HSHS St. Anthony Memorial Hospital, in Effingham, IL with his wife of 76 years by his side.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 23, 2021 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, St. Peter, IL with a one hour viewing prior to service.  Rev. Ryan Meyer will be officiating.  Burial will be at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in St. Peter, IL.  Visitation will be at Pagel Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 22, 2021 in St. Peter, IL.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Lutheran Care Center, or donor’s choice. 

Hilmer was born February 8, 1924, the son of Paul and Ella (Graumenz) Magnus at home in rural St. Peter, IL.  Hilmer married Ruth Anna (Tonn) Magnus at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Parsonage on July 15, 1945, and she survives having celebrated their 76th wedding anniversary this past July.

Hard work was a way of life for Hilmer.  He assumed responsibility of the farm at the early age of 13 due to the death of his father from measles.  As the oldest of five children, he was unable to complete his formal education due to the obligations to the farm and his family.   In doing this, Hilmer found his love of farming.  With his wife, Ruth, by his side, they custom bailed hay, cut silage and farmed many acres of corn, beans and wheat while caring for livestock.  Hilmer taught himself mechanics via reading and hands on experience.  As a result of all this hard work, Hilmer and Ruth were able to purchase the farm on which they raised their family.  Although he continued to farm into his upper eighties, Hilmer and Ruth did take time to travel to many destinations including Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Hawaii and other states.   They enjoyed seeing new sites and meeting new people. Hilmer often told stories of the good ‘ole days and always greeted us with a smile while making us laugh with his humor. His example of hard work, commitment to family, and faith in the Lord was evident and has been passed down to future generations. He served the community as St. Peter Lutheran Church Elder and School Board Member as well as a board member of Fayette County Farm Bureau. 

Hilmer is survived by his wife, Ruth; one son, Allen (wife Lody) Magnus of St. Peter, IL; two daughters, Carolyn (husband Ron) Boldt of Stewardson, IL; Shelley (husband Joel) Young of Farina, IL; sister, Dolores (husband Darrell) Ford of Tuscola, IL; son-in-law, Gary Kingery of Elgin, IL; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Hilmer was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Ella Magnus; daughter, Nancy Kingery; brother and sister-in-law, Lavern and Esther Magnus; sisters and brothers-in-law, Arlene (husband Charles) Lee, Malinda (husband Orville) Hinton, and sister, Helen Magnus in infancy; brothers-in-law, Marvin (wife Mary) Tonn, Albert (wife Cindy) Tonn; sister-in-law, Esther Webster and a niece and several nephews.

Hilmer’s farewell to family and friends was always, “See you in the funny papers, if they don’t cut me out.” 

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