Louise Jeannette Hill

Louise Hill, 102 years old, passed away on April 15, 2026, surrounded by her family at her home in La Crescent, MN. Louise was born to Albert and Marie (Vereide) Clements at Grandview Hospital in La Crosse on March 12, 1924. She was baptized at Halfway Lutheran Church in Holmen. The Clements family moved to the family farm in Stoddard, Wisconsin, when Louise was one year old. Louise and her three brothers loved the farm life; they attended Stoddard Elementary School and Central High School in La Crosse and were members of St. Matthew's Church. In the fall of 1931, the family was stricken with polio, and her brother, Harold, passed away from the disease.

During World War II, many young people from the area moved to Seattle and Bremerton, Washington, to support the war effort. In the spring of 1942, Louise took a train to Seattle to become one of the original "Rosie the Riveters" at Boeing Aircraft.

On December 4, 1943, Louise married Jack Hill in Hokah, Minnesota. They spent the rest of their lives busy raising their eight children. Louise and Jack moved their family to Shore Acres Road, overlooking the Mississippi River in La Crescent, Minnesota, where they lived for 52 years. In 1963, they opened Hill’s Boat Livery, renting fishing boats and motors and selling equipment. The bait shop remained open until 1995. Louise and her children operated the livery while Jack worked as a crane operator for the Local 139 Operating Engineers Union. Louise was eventually awarded the title of Honorary Lifetime Member of Local 139 for her 30 years of service as the Secretary of the La Crosse Retirees’ Operating Engineers Club.

She also volunteered at the La Crescent Historical Society, United Methodist Church, Eagles Club, CB Club “KLF0797”, Turtle Club, and Flood Rescue Services. Louise was very active in her church, specifically through cooking and singing.

In 1964, Louise joined the La Crescent Order of the Eastern Star, where she held many offices. From 1978 to 1980, the Minnesota Grand Chapter Worthy Matron appointed her as a Grand Representative to the State of Indiana. In 1997, she was appointed as a Grand Officer for the 1997–1998 term. During that memorable year, she and Jack traveled across many states, logging countless miles and forging lifelong friendships. Louise’s dedication to the Order was remarkable, as she served as Worthy Matron 22 times. Following the closure of the La Crescent Chapter, she remained an active member of Sunshine Chapter #98 in St. Charles, MN, and the White Shrine of Jerusalem in La Crosse, WI.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Jack (2000); her daughter, Carol Jean Hill (1947); her son, Ronald Hill (2012); her daughter in law Dawn (Ceason) Hill (2022) and her three brothers, Emmitt Clements, Harold Clements and Lavern Clements. She is survived by her six children: Patricia Gruntzel (Ron), Donald Hill (Kathy), Larry Hill (Mary), Karen Deutsch (Gary), Barb Grant (Bruce), and Gary Hill (Kim); as well as 18 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the United Methodist Church, 520 North Elm Street, La Crescent, MN. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Louise will be laid to rest at Crucifixion Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the family. These contributions will be used to fulfill Louise’s final wishes by supporting local nonprofit organizations in her honor, continuing her lifelong tradition of community service.

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to St. Croix Hospice—with special thanks to Andrew, Taylor, Breanne, and Chaplain Dan—for their exceptional care. They also wish to thank Louise’s church family for the outpouring of love and support during her final weeks.