Bert Hillers

George “Bert” Hillers was born on May 12, 1940, to Christe and Lenore (King) Hillers in Bedford, IA. He grew up in Blockton, IA, where he attended grade school through high school. Bert continued his education at Muscatine Junior College for two years before graduating from Northwest Missouri State in Maryville in 1963 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education, majoring in mathematics.

On December 29, 1963, Bert was united in marriage to Judy Brandt at the Lutheran Church in Hooper, NE. He began his teaching career at Park Hill Junior High in Kansas City, MO, where he taught 7th and 8th grade from 1963 to 1965. In 1966, he and Judy moved to Harlan, where Bert taught 9th grade at HCHS until 1969. He then worked at Christensen Auto from 1969 to 1974 before opening Bert’s Auto in Harlan, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 2022. Judy passed away on December 13, 1995. On October 2, 2004, Bert was united in marriage to Maxine Kwapiszeski at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama, IA.

Bert had many interests throughout his life. Summer trips to Cedar Falls, IA, for the Korean Camp were a favorite while his children were growing up. He enjoyed NASCAR racing and had a special love for birds, butterflies, flowers, and trees. He was fascinated by astronomy and loved to experience the world through travel or by attending the theatre with Maxine.

Bert was also deeply involved in his community. He volunteered at the Band Booth at the Shelby County Fair, served as a Band Parent officer, chaperoned the band trip to Florida, as well as a group of high school students to an Indian reservation in South Dakota, and dedicated 12 years of service as a member of the HCHS School Board. For 40 years, he faithfully cleared snow from the Immanuel Lutheran Church parking lot. At church, he served as an usher, council member, videographer, and sound technician, in addition to serving on the property committee for 15 years and the trust and memorial committee.

Bert passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on August 18, 2025, at the age of 85 years, three months, and six days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Christe and Lenore Hillers; his first wife, Judy Hillers; his son, Nicholas Hillers; brother, Johnny Hillers; sister, Pat (Del) Dargantes; and niece, Julie Hillers.

He is survived by his wife, Maxine Kwapiszeski of Harlan; his children: Irv (Kate) Jones of Harlan; Kristi Hillers of Lincoln, NE, and her children, Josh, Nick, Malachi, and Caelan; Kerri (Andy) Peterson of St. Joseph, MO, and their children, David (Mo), Micah (Austin), Tyler (Brooke), Angie, Makenzie (Jordan), and Lily; SunHee Hillers of Council Bluffs and her son, Alex (Jaycie); and Kim Hillers (Chuck Powell) of Seoul, South Korea; step-children: Sheri Kwapiszeski of Charlotte, NC, and her children, Justin and Jason Sparks; and Scott Kwapiszeski (Sara Poepsel) of Harlan; 18 great grandchildren; brother, Joe (Val) Hillers of Coupeville, WA; along with nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.

Visitation with family greeting friends will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan. Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., also at the church. Burial will follow at Harlan Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family to be distributed to organizations meaningful to Bert.