Lois Orpha Nefstead (Hillberg) Age 98, of Rice Lake, WI, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 3, 2021.

Lois was born on February 17, 1923 in Wausau, WI to Elmer and Mary (Wagoner) Mason, one of 11 children.

After graduating from high school, she worked as a nurse’s aide at the TB sanitarium in Walker, MN with her sister, Eunice. They would eat lunch at the nearby malt shop, where Lois met Derril Hillberg. Derril and Lois married and raised 3 sons – Dennis, Ron, and Mike. After Derril’s passing, she later married Mel Nefstead and moved to Hackensack, MN. After Mel passed, she remained in Hackensack then eventually moved to Rice Lake, WI. She lived with Eunice in Rice Lake for many years until she needed extra care. Lois was kind and gentle yet strong, resilient, and adventurous. She was adored by all.

She is survived by 2 sons and 3 daughters-in-law (Dennis & Elaine Hillberg of Missouri, Ron & Sandy Hillberg of Arkansas, and Karan Hillberg of Wisconsin); 5 grandchildren - Mary (Ken)Kephart, Rudy (Iliana) Hillberg, Elisa (Adam) Bender, Kristin Hillberg and Jake Hillberg; 6 great-grandchildren (Elizabeth, Peter, Kim, Jarrett, Max, Isabelle); and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husbands (Derril Hillberg and Mel Nefstead), a son (Mike Hillberg), a grandson (Eric Hillberg), 6 sisters and 4 brothers.

Private family services will be held at a later date. She will be buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Walker, MN.

Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI is in charge of the arrangements

Last Update: Apr 07, 2021 10:19 am CDT