John P. Hillerson, a longtime Fargo resident, died April 10, 2015 at Sanford Hospital at the age of 100.
John was born August 27, 1914 to Charles and Serina (Peterson) Hillerson on their farm north of Luverne, ND. He grew up in the Luverne area and graduated from Luverne High School. He helped on the family farm prior to his service in the US Army during WWII.
On September, 19, 1942, John married Elaine Vig in Jamestown, ND. They had five children; Gordon, Charles, David, James, & Mary. Elaine passed away in February of 1960. On July 30, 1961, John married Mary (Beckman) Raaum. Mary had 3 children: David, Bill & Mike by a previous marriage. She died in February of 1996. On August 27, 1997, John married Arlene (Ingram) Gudmanstad. She died in October of 1999.
John was honorably discharged from the military and then farmed for several years. He then worked for the North Dakota Credit Union League in Jamestown. John was involved with many career and civic organizations receiving many awards and recognitions including the American Cancer Society. Later John was employed with the North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation until his retirement in 1978.
John was very active in the Grace Community International Church, serving many years as a church elder. John was a member of the American Legion. In earlier years he was interested in aviation and was a small aircraft pilot. He was a life-long learner.
He is survived by his children: Gordon (Dorthy) Hillerson, Yankton, SD; Charles (Carol) Hillerson, Estes Park, CO; David (Rosemary) Hillerson, Fargo, N D; James (Lydia Jean) Hillerson, Fargo, ND; and Mary (James) Abbott, Grand Forks, ND; stepchildren: David (Kathy Harlan) Raaum, Leander, TX; William Raaum, Minneapolis, MN; and Michael (Ilene Schmidt), Basalt, CO; many grandchildren, & great-grandchildren. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives; brothers, Clarence, Alvin, Harold, and Marvin Hillerson; sisters, Henrietta Bratland, June Anderson, and Jessica Hillerson; and granddaughter, Tracey Hillerson.
In lieu of flowers memorials should be sent to Roger Maris Cancer Center.