Luella May 'Lu' Hilston

MADISON-Luella May "Lu" (Cox) Hilston died on Thursday, April 7, 2011, after an extended illness caused by Parkinsons disease. She passed into the loving arms of her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, in the presence of her family who loved her dearly. Lu was born on her familys farm in Assaria, Kan., on April 30, 1933, the eldest of the three children of Fred and Amelia (Dipple) Cox. She and Charles R. "Chuck" Hilston were married on Oct. 17, 1959, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lindsborg, Kan. Lu and Chuck were blessed with four beautiful children, Wayne (Monica), Steven (Irene), Thomas, and Amylu (Scot) Miller. The Lord also blessed them with nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, Sarah, Andrew, and Rachael Hilston and Jenna Bisbee, children of Wayne and Monica; Matthew and Michael Hilston and Jennifer Harrison, children of Steven and Irene; Aiden and Chloe Miller, children of Amylu and Scot; and Zo Harrison, child of Jennifer. In addition, Lu is survived by her brother, Fred (Doris) Cox of Assaria, Kan.; sister, Linda (James) Martin of Kansas City; sister-in-law, Marijane Czarnecki of Dimondale, Mich.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Lu graduated from Assaria High School and later received a B.A. degree in music from Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan. While in college, Lu was selected to be a delegate to Sweden by the International Farm Youth Exchange program. She lived in Sweden for one semester. Lu was an accomplished private flute and piano teacher in the Madison area and was a general music teacher for ten years at Frank Allis School. She was an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity and Madison Symphony Orchestra League. In addition to her devotion to her family and profession, Lu was a faithful and deeply committed member of Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Madison where she sang in the choir for many years, played flute solos, and assisted with the childrens choirs and the Luther Memorial Preschool. Lu was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law; sister-in-law; and two brothers. Luellas remains will be cremated and held at Gunderson East Funeral Home until a funeral liturgy and Eucharist to be held at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, 1021 University Ave., Madison, at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Inurnment will occur in the churchs columbarium immediately following the funeral liturgy. Visitation will be held at the church from 3:30 p.m. until the time of service on Tuesday.Lus family extends its gratitude to Oak Park Place and to HospiceCare Inc. for the skillful, compassionate, and loving care they provided to Lu and her family over these many months. Finally, the family will be grateful if memorials are made to the Luther Memorial Church Foundation. Memorials: Finally, the family will be grateful if memorials are made to the Luther Memorial Church Foundation. Cemetery: Inurnment will occur in the church's columbarium immediately following the funeral liturgy. Visitation: Visitation will be held at the church from 3:30 p.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Service: Luellas remains will be cremated and held at Gunderson East Funeral Home until a funeral liturgy and Eucharist to be held at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, 1021 University Ave., Madison, at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2011.