Wanda Hilner

Wanda K. Hilner, 87, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 14, 2025, at her home in Boardman Lake Glens. Wanda Frances was born July 19, 1938, in Teaneck, NJ, to John and Doris (Jenss) Koedderich. She graduated from Teaneck Senior High School in 1956 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Hood College in Frederick, MD in 1960. On August 26, 1961, she married Homer R. Hilner, and they spent 39 wonderful years together, living in big and small towns across Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, Ohio, and Michigan. Initially pursuing a career teaching biology to nursing students, Wanda eventually returned to her love of music in a variety of ways. As a young girl, she was a pianist gold cup winner who held highest honors and a superior rating with the National Federation of Music Clubs. In her adult life, she worked not only as a homemaker but also as a Director of Music in churches she belonged to, including Advent Lutheran Church in West Chester, PA and Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, MI. In the place she considered her adopted hometown of 25 years, Cheboygan, MI, she was a member of the St. Thomas Lutheran Church bell choir and enjoyed singing with a choral group in the Mackinac straits area. Cherished memories of Wanda abound thanks to her diverse interests. She possessed amazing cooking and baking skills. Her Spaghetti Pizza, Party Chicken, pecan pies, and blueberry funny cakes always “disappeared” in short order. She was renowned for her needlepointing, knitting, and crocheting. Her Afghan blankets, sweaters, scarves, hats, and socks are dispersed throughout the land. Flower gardens she nurtured were admired by neighbors and friends alike. In her later years, her love and support of the Detroit Tigers was unwavering. Wanda is survived by her son, Scott (Alice) Hilner of Traverse City; grandchildren Kayla “Fran” Jason of Traverse City, Ethan Hilner of Honolulu, HI, and Hadley Hilner of Traverse City; great-grandchildren Oliver and Eloise Jason; sisters-in-law AvaJo (Dean) Shippy of Newark, DE and LilaLee (Neal) Fisher of Middlebury, VT along with many other loving family members and friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Homer Hilner; her parents; her brother, John “Jack” Koedderich Jr.; and sister-in-law Karen (Coppess) Koedderich. A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 11 am, at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Cheboygan, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Donate – Hospice of Michigan. To share your thoughts and memories of Wanda, please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Wanda Hilner

July 8, 1938 - November 14, 2025