Lynn Hilts

Lynn Ann Hilts, 80, Edgar, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.

She was bom June 5, 1945, to Simon and Leone (LaFave) Elios in Ironwood, Mich., and was raised in Hurley. On June 5, 1965 she married Clayton Hilts at St. Mary of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Hurley. He preceded her in death on August 31, 2012. She missed him dearly everyday.

Lynn attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley. She continued her education attending two years of college at Cardinal Stritch College in Fox Point, and earned her bachelor’s degree in education at UW Stevens Point. She later earned her master’s degree at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz., and attended Arizona State University, earning her administrators certificate.

She taught at St. Vincent de Paul School and S.S. Peter and Paul School, both in Wisconsin Rapids. After Clay and Lynn moved to Arizona, she taught at Dysart Middle School in El Mirage, Ariz. Following her work as a teacher, she became the principal at Mountain View Elementary School in Bullhead City, Ariz. The couple returned to Wisconsin and Lynn retired from St. Anthony of Padua in Athens, where she had been the principal. They were always fond of the desert, and in their retirement, they enjoyed RVing, spending several winters in Texas and Arizona.

Survivors include her son, Bryan (Michelle) Hilts, Marathon; two granddaughters: Emily (Erik) Swanson, Marathon and Audrey (Andrew) Conley, Oshkosh; five great-grandchildren: Linden, Sigurd and Hazel Swanson and Clare and William Conley; one sister, Myma (Erling) Breivik; several nieces and nephews; and special “daughter” Rosemarie (Andy) Walker, Payson, Ariz.

Besides her parents and husband, Clayton, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, John Vanicky; and her brother, Fr. William Elios, S.J.

The funeral Mass was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Edgar. Rev. Alan Wierzba and Deacon Bryan Hilts presided. Burial was at the Sechlerville Cemetery in Hixton. Visitation was on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, from 5 until 7 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home in Edgar, followed by a rosary service, and again on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass at the church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

http://www.petersonkraemer.com

Paid obituary 178019