Howard ?Val? Hilsabeck

Val Hilsabeck, 92, of Anaheim peacefully passed away on August 7, 2010 in the arms of his children while surrounded by dozens of his 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Val was born on July 13, 1918 in Marshall County Iowa, the son of Vlosta Priske and Leland Howard Hilsabeck. Val graduated from high school in Eldora, Iowa where he earned awards for his talent with the trumpet and in wrestling as a member of a championship team.

Val was raised on his grandparents' farm and at age 13, when his grandfather died, Val ran the 180-acre farm all by himself growing crops, running farm machinery and raising livestock. When World War II began Val quit farming to volunteer for the U. S. Army Air Corp from which he received an honorable discharge for his service. Val returned to farming in Eldora where he raised prize-winning cattle and hogs.

In 1941 Val married Katherine Kramer, the love of his life, who was the foundation of their partnership in creating the ?We are family? faith that the family has lived by. They raised a daughter, Kathy Kelly and three sons Larry, spouse Joann; Jerry, spouse Debi; and, Dennis, spouse Sharron. From these children have come 44 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Val moved the family to California in 1955 where he became a respected member of the construction industry because of his innovation and experience in home remodeling. He founded the Val Hilsabeck & Sons Construction Company, which became one of the biggest companies in Orange County.

Other survivors are sister Arvella Lewis, nephew Larry Lewis, and brother Laverne Priske. Val was a longtime member of the St. Boniface Church in Anaheim.

Visitation will be Friday, August 13, 7-9 p.m. at O?Connor Mortuary, Laguna Hills. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, August 14, 9:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 1301 Sycamore Ave., Tustin, followed by burial at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Orange.