Hildegard Margarete (Staab) Green

Hilde Green, 93 died April 1, 2019 in Nurnberg Germany. She was born August 20, 1925 in an area of Nurnberg known as St. Leonhardt. Her parents were Franz and Kate Abraham Staab. Hilde had no siblings. She grew up in a 4th floor apartment with 1 cousin, 2 aunts, an uncle and Grandfather Abraham. Hilde attended nearby public schools and later a business college where she learned English, bookkeeping, typing and stenography.

WWII started in Germany when Hilde was 14 years old. Nurnberg was an industrial as well as politically important city. There were frequent air raids and heavy bombing from both U. S. and allied forces. During breaks in the air raids, Hilde and other girls ran up from the basement air raid shelter and checked each apartment for unexploded bombs or incendiary devices. Hilde remembered they once threw a smoldering couch out of a window. Hilde also remembered that when the U. S. forces occupied Nurnberg in 1945, every boy she had ever known was dead or disabled. By 1946 although the city was still in ruins (food and other essentials still rationed,) people began to hope again that peace would last.  A local band leader had been hired to play in a nearby American enlisted men’s club, he asked the mothers to allow their daughters to go dance with the soldiers. One of the widows said they should let the girls have some fun!

Glen Green of Rossville, IL heard Hilde laugh and saw her pretty face at the club. He always said it was love at first sight! Hilde was more cautious, but eventually Glen got to meet her parents. From the 4th floor apartment window Hilde would watch for Glen walking through the fields towards her. When Glen was discharged from the U. S. Army and returned to Rossville in 1948, he sent for Hilde. They were married in his Father’s home January 16, 1949. The marriage was also later blessed by Fr. Flynne in St. Anthony’s Parish, Hoopeston, IL. They had one daughter, Margarete (Don) Uzarski, one granddaughter, Amy (Marc) Lovell and two great grandchildren Margarete and Raphael Bennett. The Green family embraced Hilde warmly as did the community.

Hilde and Glen worked very hard. There were occasional visits “back home” for Hilde. In 1959 there was even a brand-new home of their own! At first Hilde worked as part-time bookkeeper for farmers and small businesses around Rossville. Finally, she worked for Robert Kesler and Company CPA firm in Danville. It was a “dream job” for Hilde and helped put their daughter through the University of Illinois.

Glen and Hilde had fun too. In the early 1960s Hilde and Glen joined the “Sweet Corner’s Square Dance Club.” Hilde loved making the square dance dresses and shirts. Both loved dancing and the many great friends they made. Hilde enjoyed sewing, knitting and crocheting most of her own and her daughter’s clothing for many years. She was active in St. Anthony’s Altar and Rosary Society, also the Women’s Auxiliary of the Rossville American Legion Spears-Dukes Post # 733. When Hilde was elected president of that club, no one seemed to notice that she called the meeting to order with a slight German accent!

In November 1969, Hilde’s Father died leaving her Mother, Kate to manage their properties. By 1971, Hilde was convinced that her Mother, Aunt and disabled cousin couldn’t manage without help. Glen and Hilde decided to move to Germany “for a few years.” So… they rented the house, sold the furniture and booked passage on a ship to Germany. Both got jobs, took care of “the family” and had a wonderful time. Hilde and Glen joined a German – American square dance group and became very active in St. Bonifaz Catholic church. They hosted an “English Conversation Hour” every Monday evening. When the children/youth choir needed chaperones for a weekend trip to another parish, Glen and Hilde were there! When the choir from another parish visited, Glen and Hilde made their guest room available for them. Over the years, Hilde’s cousin, Aunt and Mother died but Glen and Hilde were comfortable and decided to stay in Germany.  Nearly every year they visited family and friends in the “States.” A great many family and friends visited and stayed with them in Nurnberg over the years too. Hilde loved giving tours of the beautifully rebuilt city.

Glen died February 6, 2009. Hilde and the entire Green family grieved! In the last 10 years Hilde slowly lost her short-term memory, but she never forgot who she loved and who loved her. When her daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and greatgrandchildren visited she knew them and was very happy to see them. She recognized friends and relatives from photograph albums and could often tell little stories about them that we had never heard before.  Often, she dreamed of Glen walking through the fields towards her.

Hilde will be buried next to Glen in Mann’s Chapel Cemetery on June 22, 2019. Graveside services will be at 1:00 pm. Funeral mass will be at St. Anthony’s in Hoopeston, IL at 10:30 am on June 22, 2019. Visitation will be at Blurton Funeral Home, Friday evening from 5 to 7 pm.

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