Leora Mae Hillman

Leora Mae Hillman, age 97, passed away on March 13, 2026, surrounded by her family at Meadow Place Assisted Living in Long Prairie.

Born on February 19, 1929, in Hospers, Iowa, Leora was the first of ten children born to Lawrence and Matilda (Groen) Hyink. The family farmed in Sioux County, Iowa, until moving in the spring of 1947 to a farm near Winfred, South Dakota. There she met Gene Hillman, and they married on February 14, 1948. The couple was blessed with seven children and lived in South Dakota for eleven years before moving in 1959 to a farm near Long Prairie, Minnesota. Leora lovingly tended a large garden that provided fresh vegetables and flowers for her family.

In 1968, Leora and Gene purchased the Dairy Way, later building Gene O’s Family Restaurant, which they operated for 25 years. They enjoyed every aspect of the business, from working alongside their “Gene O’s Girls” to visiting with their customers. After retirement, they spent winters as snowbirds in Arizona and Texas before building a home on Lake Charlotte. There they delighted in hosting their children and grandchildren for swimming, skiing, fishing, and countless meals, with Leora always ensuring there were plenty of treats, including her famous Rice Krispie bars served from the patio swing. Christmas gatherings were especially dear, filled with church services, oyster stew, a visit from Santa, and birthday cake for Jesus.

Leora lived a life of deep faith and quiet devotion, always putting others first and serving as a guiding example of Christ’s love to her family. She is survived by her children Robert of St. Cloud, Richard (Meridee) of Minnetrista, Stan (Joanne) of Long Prairie, Scott (Jill) of Long Prairie, Marilyn (Woody) Gustafson of Long Prairie, and daughter-in-law Nancy of Grey Eagle; 18 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; her siblings Thelma Hueners, Lila Bliss, Mary (David) Lyng, Larry (Nancy) Hyink, Earl (Barb) Hyink, and Judy (Dan) Bohl; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Gene, sons Danny and Bill, daughters-in-law Sheloa and Yvonne, grandsons Adam Gustafson and Mitch Hillman, and several siblings.