Millie Hilliker

Millie Jane Hilliker

August 17, 1928 – July 26, 2025

Millie Jane Hilliker was born on August 17, 1928, in rural Nebraska. She was the second of six children born to Freda and Dewey Reed. Her life was filled with both blessings and hardships, shaped in part by the Great Depression and World War II—events that deeply influenced her and her family.

Jane often reminisced about her childhood on the farm—gathering cow chips with a stick to check if they were dry, driving the team of horses to Colburn Creek for water, milking cows, feeding chickens, and helping bring in the corn harvest.. The family supplemented their income by selling eggs, milk, and cream in town.

Jane’s early education took place in a one-room country school, where she first discovered her love of learning and teaching. She went on to earn her teaching degree from Chadron State College and began her career as an educator, eventually teaching in the same kinds of rural schools she once attended.

On May 9, 1949, Jane married the love of her life, Kenneth Hilliker. Together, they raised two children, Bonita and Richard. Her love of teaching extended into her home life, where she nurtured and guided her children with care and wisdom.

In her later years, Jane devoted herself to handcrafts—crocheting, quilting, and cross-stitching. Many of her beautiful creations are proudly displayed in the homes of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Even into her 90s, she continued crocheting lap blankets, lovingly gifting them to visitors and family alike.

On one of our final visits, as I leaned down to kiss her goodbye and said, “I love you,” she whispered, “It’s been so long.” I didn’t understand what she meant at the time—but now I do. On Saturday, July 26th, 2025, Jane was reunited with her beloved Kenneth, who preceded her in death.

Jane’s legacy lives on in her children: Bonita and her husband Mike, and Richard and his wife Connie; her seven grandchildren; her 17 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. She is also remembered fondly by many extended family members, friends, and all who had the privilege to know her.

Her strength, her love, and her stories live on through the generations she helped raise and inspire.