Jan Allan Hilleshiem
July 23, 1938 - June 16, 2021
Obituary
Madison - Jan Hilleshiem, age 82, of Madison, passed away on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.
Jan lived a full and vibrant life enriched by the fine arts. He attended Chicago Floral School and also attended University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studied art and became a metalsmith and gemologist. Jan enjoyed photography and was an accomplished painter. He shared his love of creating and the healing power of art while teaching numerous art classes.
Although Jan battled kidney disease most of his life, he loved the outdoors and even worked for the Department of Natural Resources for a time. He loved hiking, camping, and spending time with his family in the great outdoors.
After Jan retired, he continued his jewelry business, making unique and beautiful pieces. He also enjoyed teaching “preparedness for natural disaster” classes for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Jan is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Penelope J. (Keith) Bailey and their children, Jessika (Daniel) Young, Erika (Alden) Bahr, Spencer (Brittany) Bailey, Caitlin Bailey, and Jacob (Hailey) Bailey; Daughter Jilene (Nate) Bayles and their children, Jordan Luu, Alivia (Parker) Whiting, Mckay (Maddie) Luu, Grace Luu, Nathan Bayles, Parker Bayless; step grandchildren, Jonathan Bayles and Kaitlyn Bayles; son, David (Kathy) Hilleshiem and their children Samantha Hilleshiem and Braxton Hilleshiem; Son Steve "Van" (Denise) Hilleshiem and their children, Brittany (Kyle) Grange and Devan Hilleshiem; Son Foster "Brian" Hilleshiem and his children, Blake Hilleshiem, Michael (Taya) Hilleshiem, Hunter Hilleshiem, and James Hilleshiem; and sister, Jill (Paul) Taylor. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Jeana (John) Hughes.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time in Orem, Utah. (Contact the family: 801-836-1109, for the address to be with them in person or join via Zoom. Meeting I.D. 957-6868-8961, Passcode SNn6Md.)
Jan will be fondly remembered and will live on through the many paintings, photographs, and drawings given to family and friends. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com .
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
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Memories
DH
David Hilleshiem
Other •
I rennet when I was a kid fishing in Door County for salmon with Dad he loved to fish and some of my best memories are fishing with him I will miss him so much
JB
Jilene Bayles
Other •
I remember making rings with my Dad. He was very good at making jewelry and he was a Lapidary Arts teacher. He was always telling me about different kinds of stones and metal. He really loved making jewelry and he was good at it. Many times in the summer we would be at rock shows selling rings.
PK
Pam kempfer
Other •
Always remembered him fondly. Pam kempfer