January 14th 1925 – December 8th 2022 At age 97, under the light of a full moon, Adelaide peacefully departed this life on December 8th with family by her side at The Heritage Place in Soldotna Alaska.
Adelaide was the oldest of three children born to John And Lillian Schmidt in Polk county Wisconsin. She and her brother Paul were adopted at an early age by Reverend M.H. and Vinnie Hegge and were raised in Stoughton Wisconsin.
She worked as a nurses aid and as lifeguard before attending St Olaf college in Minnesota where she meet Warren Bilben, a young navy air-core cadet. They were married June 30th 1944.
They eventually settled in International Falls Minnesota with their five children. Adelaide loved hunting, fishing, curling, and spending time at their lake cabin. She was an inspiration to her family and a second mom to many. She was an adventurous and caring woman who loved life and the people in it. She was always willing to listen to or help anyone in need.
After the death of her husband in 2016 Adelaide move to Alaska to live with her daughter Jill and to be closer to Alaskan family members. She stayed active fishing and snow machining with her sons, volunteering at the local hospital, gardening and hiking. Even though she enjoyed her life and family in Alaska she missed International Falls where she had resided for 60 years.
Adelaide was preceded in death by her husband-Warren Bilben, eldest daughter -Deedra Barber, brothers – Paul Hegge and Linden Iverson, sister-Donna Earley. She is survived by daughter Jill (Doug) Chapman, sons Steve (Renae) Bilben, Hans (Jeanne) Bilben, Ted (JoAnn) Bilben, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Interment of Adelaide’s and Warren’s ashes will take place on their 79th wedding anniversary June 30th, 2023 in Forrest Hill Cemetery at International Falls. A celebration of life will be planned at later date to coincide with their interment.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests planting a tree in her honor. She always commented on how planting trees gave her great joy.
Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Jill Chapman 610 Set Net Drive, Kenai AK 99611
