Dyvon Alma Hilgendorf was called to her eternal home in heaven on Tuesday, April 7. She was born at home in Milwaukee, WI, on February 3, 1929, to Walter and Louise Strey. She was baptized at home and confessed her faith at her confirmation at Cross Lutheran Church in Milwaukee. Her parents died one year apart when Dyvon was sixteen years old. She went and lived with her friend in Illinois. She worked with this family as a carney selling jewelry at carnivals and fairs. When she turned eighteen, she moved to Mequon and lived with her brother, Wallen. Dyvon met her future husband, Wilmer, in Freistadt. They married on February 22, 1952, and moved to Camp Pendleton in Southern California. After Wilmer’s discharge from the U.S. Marines, they moved to Mequon. Dyvon raised her sons, Wayne and Mark, while Wilmer was in the hospital for nine months with rheumatic fever.
Dyvon was a dedicated home maker who supported Wilmer in his auctioneering and real estate businesses. She attended classes at MATC to learn how to sew clothes, draperies and even learned how to upholster furniture. She made clothes for herself, her family, and others. She loved to garden and can what she grew. She baked specialties like lasagna, chocolate chip cookies and kuchen. She enjoyed the summer months when she could mow the lawn and ride her “gator” to pick up sticks. For over 25 years she walked daily at Northridge Mall, Walmart and Menards with a group of other seniors. In later years, her favorite past time was feeding and watching birds. She kept a journal keeping track of the weather as well as Mark’s planting and harvesting.
Dyvon was an active and devoted member of Trinity Lutheran Church of West Mequon for over 70 years. She was a founding member of the Altar Guild, being on the committee for 60 plus years, taught Sunday School for 25 years and sang in the choir for 40 years. After Trinity closed she attended Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, WI.
Dyvon is survived by her sons, Wayne (Marcia) and Mark; grandchildren Edye and Ryan (Jennifer); and one great-grandson, Reed. She is also survived by her brother, Fred Strey and one sister-in-law, Rayola Strey; many nephews, nieces and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Wallen (Sadie), DeLoyd (Elaine), Johnold (Rayola); sisters: Mercedine (Ralph) Grosser, Dawn (Richard) Voigt, and Ruth (Robert) Mueller and sister-in-law, Kathy (Fred) Strey.
Take the world, but give me Jesus! In His cross my trust shall be.
Till with clearer, brighter vision Face to face my Lord I see.
The visitation for Dyvon will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, W76 N627 Wauwatosa Road Cedarburg, WI 53012, from 9:30AM until 10:45AM, with the funeral service starting at 11AM. Burial will be held at 1:30PM at the Trinity West Lutheran Cemetery in Mequon (please meet at the cemetery). In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lighthouse Youth Center, 5641 N 68th St. Milwaukee, WI 53218 or to the charity of the donor's choice.
