Burial will be in the Essex Cemetery. Memorials are being directed to the Essex Community Betterment Fund.

Charlotte LaRue Hilker, daughter of Charles (Jack) Bice and Margaret (Abraham) Bice, was born at Edison, Nebraska, on February 8, 1938 and passed away at Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at the age of 68.

She lived the early part of her life in the Edison, Nebraska area. Charlotte received her early education at Turkey Creek Country School near Edison, and graduated from Oxford, Nebraska High School with the Class of 1956.

On June 22, 1957 Charlotte was united in marriage to Russell Hilker at the United Methodist Church in Oxford, Nebraska. After their marriage they lived in several towns where Russell was employed during his career in public education. They lived in Big Springs, Stratton, and Neligh, Nebraska before settling in Essex, Iowa.

Charlotte worked in The Essex Community School District Child Nutrition Department from 1974 until retiring as manager in 2001 for a total of 26 years. She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Essex, where she had served on the church council. Charlotte spent several years as Luther League Sponsor when her sons were in school. She served as co-sponsor for a number of Senior Trips and Band Trips. Charlotte had many interests but she loved being with family and grandchildren, traveling, and camping with friends.

Preceding Charlotte in death were her parents, and a sister JoAnn Schroeder. Survivors include her husband Russell; four sons, Marty Hilker and wife Linda, Randy Hilker and wife Shannon, all of Shenandoah, Iowa; Barry Hilker and wife Cathy of Westminster, Colorado; and John Hilker of Essex, Iowa; grandchildren, Adam and Emily Hilker of Westminster, Colorado, and Ian Hilker of Shenandoah, Iowa; brothers, Tim Bice and wife Sandra of Cozad, Nebraska, Darwin Bice and wife Delores of Fremont, Nebraska; three step grandchildren, Robert Keller, Eva Seering and Michelle Fichter; brother-in-law, Neale Schroeder of Arapahoe, Nebraska; along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 25, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Essex. Pastor John Swenson gave the words of comfort. Special music of "Amazing Grace" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" by Lorretta Lynn was played at the service. Organist was Pat Tillman. The congregation sang "Beautiful Savior". Caring for the flowers were Linda Veak and Lenora Carlson. Attending the memory register were Lorna Glasgo and Donna Ross. Ushers were Bernard Veak, Jr., and Larry Glasgo. Casket bearers were Adam Hilker, Ian Hilker, Chadd Bice, Patrick Bice, Dan Bice and Mason Schroeder. Interment was in the Essex Cemetery. Memorials are being directed to the Essex Community Betterment Fund. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.