FORDYCE — DelRae Rose (Wuebben) Hilfiker, 78, Fordyce, died suddenly at her home Jan. 23, 2026. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Jan. 28, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fordyce. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Fordyce. Pallbearers will be Allen Hilfiker, Brice Hilfiker, Lincoln Hilfiker, Joshua Hilfiker, Cody Kovar and Matt Bring. Honorary pallbearers will be Brittany Kovar, Allison Bring and Hannah Hilfiker. Visitation, with a rosary and vigil service, was Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz funeral Home, Hartington.

DelRae was born Sept. 12, 1947, to Steven and Margaret Wuebben and was raised on the family farm just outside of Fordyce. She attended local schools and graduated from Cedar Catholic High School before beginning the vocation that would define her life, loving and caring for her family and community. She was grounded, hardworking, generous and deeply faithful. Those values guided her life and were evident in the way she cared for her family, friends and anyone who crossed her path.

DelRae married Phil Hilfiker Sept. 12, 1970, at St. John’s Parish, Fordyce. Their marriage and faith were the cornerstones of her life. A proud, lifelong parishioner of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, DelRae lived her faith not only through worship, but through action. She served faithfully in the Ladies Guild, Parish Council, and numerous other church ministries, but she was best known for the countless quiet ways she helped others by organizing meal trains, giving rides, checking in on those who were ill, and always being willing to roll up her sleeves and help where needed.

DelRae’s greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was her family. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother to five children and their spouses, a proud grandmother of seven, and a cherished great-grandmother of three. She had a creative spirit and enjoyed many hobbies, including raising chickens, gardening, baking, cooking, sewing, crafting, calligraphy, painting ceramics and concrete lawn ornaments.

The arrival of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought Del-Rae immense happiness. She treasured every opportunity to cuddle them when they were small, and her smile grew even bigger when sleepovers at Grandma’s house took place. Reading stories, attending school programs, and cheering them on at sporting events were moments she never missed and always cherished.

DelRae is survived by her loving husband, Phil Hilfiker; her children, Todd (Malinda) Hilfiker, David City; Brenda (Nick) Lerouge, Omaha; Jeff (Katie) Hilfiker, Bonner Springs, Kan.; Brian (Tara) Hilfiker, Dickinson, N.D.; and Brad (Heather) Hilfiker, Norfolk. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Allen (Bailey) Hilfiker and their daughter, Delilah, Arlington; Allison (Matt) Bring, Omaha; Brice Hilfiker, David City; Brittany (Cody) Kovar and their children, Dylan and Della, David City; Josh Hilfiker, Bonner Springs, Kan.; Lincoln Hilfiker, Norfolk; and Hannah Hilfiker, Dickinson, N.D. She is also survived by her sister, Darlene Svacina, Yankton, S.D.; and her brother, Bob (Linda) Wuebben, Fordyce.

DelRae was preceded in death by her parents, Steven and Margaret Wuebben; her brother, Francis Wuebben; her sister, Marcella “Sis” Bonertz; and her brother-in-law, Dale Svacina.