Alice Hilger, 67, was 'shutterbug' of family
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If anything describes how much Alice Hilger gave to people, it might be something she took almost every day.
Photographs.
She often carried a camera with her to capture on film moments in the lives of her family and friends. She immortalized family parties and holidays; at even informal gatherings she would be taking pictures.
Later, if she found a snapshot she knew would be particularly appealing to someone, she would frame it and send it to that person. Over the years, she sent out countless photographs.
"We called her `the Shutterbug,' " said her son-in-law, Gerry Kingen. "She was incessantly photographing everything."
Alice Marie Kueffner Hilger died Saturday (May 5) from a pulmonary embolism at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. She was 67.
Mrs. Hilger was born and raised in St. Paul, where she met her husband, Dr. John Hilger, while the two were students. They married in 1954, and in 1969 moved West with their six children.
The family settled in Tacoma, where Mrs. Hilger became active in the community and was on the boards of the Tacoma Art Museum, the Seattle chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Bellarmine Preparatory High School in Tacoma. She also was a member of the Junior League and a former president of the Catholic Women's Club.
But even as she was active in various groups in organizations, she most enjoyed simple gestures, such as sending a person a framed photograph or buying trinkets and baubles for gifts.
"She went out of her way to do little things that meant a lot to people," said daughter Kathryn Kingen of West Seattle.
Three years ago, the Hilgers moved to a farm near McKenna, Pierce County, with a view of Mount Rainier. There she enjoyed gardening and tending to duties on the farm.
The Hilgers also enjoyed taking weekend trips throughout the Northwest.
"We've gotten more out of this state since 1969 than most people have gotten in a lifetime," her husband said.
Besides her husband and daughter Kathryn, survivors include sons Nick and Dan, of Tacoma; Kurt, of West Seattle, and Jim, of Edmonds; daughter Andrea Duffy of West Seattle; sister Diane Kueffner Weinfurtner of St. Paul and 15 grandchildren.
Services have been held. The family asks that donations be made to Georgetown Visitation Monastery, 1500 35th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007 or Bellarmine Preparatory High School, 2300 S. Washington, Tacoma, WA 98405-1399.