Donald "Hildy" Arthur Hildeman

Don Hildeman was born on the family farm in Manawa, Wisconsin on May 16th, 1928. Don liked to be called “Hildy” and he worked as a mailman for 35 years and absolutely loved it. He enjoyed the people on his route and he loved being outside and walking many miles each day. Later this month he was going to be honored for his 75th year as a member of the Letter Carriers Union. Hildy also served as a Corporal in the US Army during the Korean War, spending 2 years in Germany, nearing deployment just as the war ended. He always liked to tell a harrowing tale about his return from Germany, where they got caught in a hurricane as the ship battled 50-foot waves that tossed the massive troop transport ship around like a toy. He was beyond elated when he saw the Statue of Liberty.

Hildy was a very avid sports fan, and loved watching the Packers, Brewers, and Badgers. He was also a very avid golfer and for many years enjoyed a Father’s Day golf outing with his 2 sons, Dave and Steve, and Steve’s son Chad at many beautiful golf courses across Wisconsin. Hildy loved the outdoors and especially loved to fish, he built a cabin with his second wife Dorothy on Mayflower Lake where the family spent many weekends fishing and hunting. After his retirement, Hildy started dating his soulmate, Sue Herrmann, and they lived together outside of Waupaca for 40 years and spent many wonderful weekends with her children and grandchildren at their cottage on Long Lake. Hildy was an amazing man, filled with love, caring, empathy, patience, understanding, and he always had a smile on his face. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a quick wit. He would often tell people that he recognized in the grocery or hardware store – “Oh hi, I remember you, your house had a brick façade, and your mail slot was in the side door”.. even if he hadn’t delivered their mail for over 30 years.

Hildy was preceded in death by his mom Iva Schartau (Puls), his first wife Claire (St. Louis) and their son Steve (Renee) Hildeman; and his second wife Dorothy Hildeman (Klein).

Hildy is survived by his son David (Becca) Hildeman and their son Matthew in Cincinnati, Ohio; his grandson Chad (Carrie) Hildeman and great grandchildren, Brianna and Nathan; his step-daughter Tootie (Tom) Skibba and their children Amy and Cheri and grandchildren; and his soulmate Suzie Herrmann and her children Chip, Kris, Lisa, Marcy, David, and their many children and grandchildren.

Funeral services for Don will be held at 11:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St., Appleton. Visitation will be on Saturday at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Full Military Honors will immediately follow the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated to American Legion Post #38, of Appleton.