Andy Hilger

Age: 83 June 12, 1930 – August 18, 2013 Services celebrating the life of Andy Hilger, age 83 of St. Cloud, will be 10:30 AM, Friday August 23 at St. Mary’s Cathedral Upper Church.  Monsignor Richard J. Mahowald will officiate and burial will be in Assumption Cemetery.  Andy died Sunday at the St. Benedicts Senior Community in St. Cloud.  There will be a visitation from 4-8:00 PM Thursday at the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home in St. Cloud.  Parish prayers will be at 4:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.  Arrangements are being made by the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home, St. Cloud.Andy was born June 12, 1930 in St. Paul to Andrew and Winifred (Stockwell) Hilger.  He attended St. Thomas Academy and St. Thomas University in St. Paul.  He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean war from 1953-1955.  He worked at KCIM Radio in Caroll, Iowa from 1955-57.  He was with KYMS Radio in Mankato in 1957 and 1958.  In 1958, Andy moved to St. Cloud and started with WJON where he was known as “Tin Pan Andy”. He purchased half-interest in the radio station in 1965.  Andy married Carol Hieserich in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose on August 28, 1965.  Andy built WJON Cablevision in 1968, bringing cable television to St. Cloud.  He later sold that in 1973.  He started 98 Country in 1971 and he purchased Oldies 94.9 in 1989. For 40 years, he shared his thoughtful views in daily editorials, including political endorsements, always with an offer to broadcast opinions that differed. He helped found the St. Cloud Area United Way and the Central Minnesota Community Foundation, and led numerous community fund drives and capital campaigns. In the late 1980s, a St. Cloud Times poll named him St. Cloud’s most influential citizen.   He sold these radio stations in 1999.  Andy maintained ownership of Spirit 93 FM, a radio station that he started in 1996 and later donated to the St. Cloud Catholic Diocese, and volunteered to serve as its manager for six years.  In 2008, he also found time to build and operate KYES, an AM Catholic programming station.  Andy was inducted into the Museum of Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2006. Andy was also active in his church, he organized Jesuit men’s retreats since 1960 and Jesuit women’s retreats since 1993.  He also was involved in ministry at the St. Cloud Correctional Facility for men.  He traveled to Rome and met Pope John Paul in 1989.  Andy was a member of St. Mary’s Cathedral and the St. Cloud Eagles Aerie.Andy is survived by his wife, Carol, St. Cloud; his children, John (Andrea) Hilger, Coon Rapids; Kevin (Teresa) Hilger, Maple Grove; Shelly (Josh Behnke) Hilger, St. Cloud and Mollie (Dave) Werschay, St. Augusta.  He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, J.D., Bailey, Abbey & Grace Hilger; Ryan, Colton & Addison Hilger; Sam & Nick Byers; and Leo & Lydia Werschay.  He is also survived by his brother and sister, Dr. Jack Hilger, Roy, WA and Molly Thibault, Shoreview.Andy is preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Greg Thibault.Memorials are preferred to the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. Schedule and Information Visitation Details There will be a visitation from 4-8:00 PM Thursday at the Miller-Carlin Funeral Home in St. Cloud. Visitation Location Miller-Carlin Funeral Home in St. Cloud Visitation Map Memorials Memorials are preferred to the Community Foundation Contact Us Toll free phone number:    (800) 644-4058 Local phone number:   (320) 251-CARE Email Us:  [email protected] Locations St. Cloud Albany Holdingford Upsala © Copyright 2018 Miller Carlin Funeral Home, All Rights Reserved