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Published September 13, 2011, 12:00 AM

Hilson Stewart

Hilson Stewart, age 89, died Thursday, September 8, 2011. He was a resident of the Perham Memorial Home.

Hilson Stewart

Hilson Stewart, age 89, died Thursday, September 8, 2011. He was a resident of the Perham Memorial Home.

Hilson Stewart was born on July 22, 1922 to Aneata and Roy Stewart on a farm near Humboldt, Minnesota. As a young boy working on the family farm, Hilson displayed a love of animals and a love of the land. He attended elementary school in Humboldt and graduated from Hallock High School in the spring of 1940. Hilson served his nation with the 383rd Regiment of the 96th Division in the Philippines and Okinawa. Hilson's regiment received the Presidential Citation for Heroic Service during the Battle of Okinawa. Upon his discharge from the military in 1946 Hilson returned to Humboldt where he met and married the love of his life, Eleanor Masloski in November of 1948. Eleanor died in 2001.

Hilson and Eleanor farmed together for over fifty years. They raised small grains, sugar beets, cattle and horses. Hilson was a certified seed grower. They were successful because of consistent effort and hard work.

He has always been very proud to be a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Knights of Columbus.

Hilson was welcomed to the Perham Memorial Home community on February 14, 2008, where he was a resident until his death.

He is survived by a sister, Lois Clark, Stephen, MN; daughters, Linda (Jim) Nigg, Perham, MN, Rebecca (Dan) Ingeman, Hallock, MN and son, H. Shane Stewart, St Vincent, MN; six grandchildren, Jeni Nigg, Stewart Nigg, Joseph (Kristi) Nigg and Margaret Nigg, Chris Ingeman (Maria Duchene) and Cassy (Josh) Peterson; two great-grandchildren, Marcus and Brooke; five sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews that were always so thoughtful and good to Hilson

Hilson was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; parents, Roy and Aneata; sisters, Amelia Streed, LaVerne Swan and Jessie (in infancy); and brothers, Glenn, Donald and Roy Jr.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 16th, 2011 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Hallock.

Visitation will be on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. with prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Austin Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the funeral on Friday.

Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Hallock.

The Austin Funeral Home of Hallock is in charge of arrangements.

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Michael R.
South Burlington, VT     09/17/2011 7:18 AM

In 2002, Hilson received the Presidential Unit Citation for heroic service during the battle of Okinawa. This unit citation for heroism was approved fifty-seven years after Hllson served with his unit in the 96th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. The battle of Okinawa was a critical juncture in World War II and I know that I can speak for all of Kittson County and being proud of Hilson's contribution to our freedom. Sincerely, Mike Rustad

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Michael R.
South Burlington, VT     09/17/2011 7:13 AM

Dear Stewart family----Hilson and Eleanor were friends to everyone from Humboldt to East of Lancaster and far beyond. I was privileged to know Hilson from Humboldt, where I grew up. Hilson and Eleanor and children attended St. Anne's in St Vincent during Father Seitz and Fillion's service there in the 1960s and early 1970s. They were family friends as well with my parents, Rustee and Pat Rustad. I have many happy memories of Hilson and Eleanor. I think that the hard work and consistent effort was their motto. They were a power couple in Humboldt. Hilson's sister Lois Clark was one of my Mom's best friend growing up in Hallock. I have so many happy memories of Hilson and his family. Hilson was not only a good family man, but a member of the Greatest Generation, as Tom Brokaw called those brave men who fought tyranny during World War II. I was very proud when I learned that Hilson received the Presidential Unit Citation for heroic service during the battle of Okinawa in 2002. He fought for the 96th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, a unit recognized for their heroism. Hilson will be remembered as a war hero, a family member, and a farmer, who loved the land. I will remember him as a quiet, but effective role model growing up in Humboldt. Sincerely, Michael Rustad, Thomas F. Lambert Jr. Professor of Law, Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Massachusetts

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