ROSITTA LINA HILFIKER

Aug. 18, 1924 - Mar. 3, 2017

Rositta Lina Karlen was born in Calexico. Her parents were Karl Karlen and Lina Rubin Karlen. Rositta attended schools in Holtville. She married Julius Hilfiker on June 14, 1942. Both were from immigrant families from Switzerland. While Julius served in the Army she lived in Los Angeles and worked at a bakery. She learned to drive while he was overseas. Rositta and Julius returned to the Imperial Valley and lived on the original Hilfiker Home Ranch. As a young couple they dedicated themselves to service to their home church, St. Paul’s.

Rositta was active in a variety of church and community events. She was dedicated to family and friends and enjoyed the country life. She encouraged her children to do well in school and in life. She studied art and produced many paintings that are truly treasured today. She is famous for her creativity in sewing, cooking and gardening, but, most of all for her love for her grandchildren. She had time for one and all. She loved having parties and hearing all about what her grandchildren were doing in school and activities. She and Julius attended many sporting events to watch and cheer for grandchildren. They liked to have company but also they liked to travel throughout the United States. They traveled to Japan and Switzerland. After 66 years of marriage Julius passed away in January of 2008.

Rositta took great delight in her family up until the moment she passed from this life. Many were with her and caring for her. It is amazing what one faithful couple can achieve in a lifetime.

Rositta is survived by her younger sister, Olga Inman, who resides in Covina, California. Rositta’s children, Julie and Steve Nyland, Nancy and Craig Jasper, David and Carolyn Hilfiker, and Rick and DeAnn Hilfiker. Her grandchildren, Helina and Shannon Hoyt, Jon and Holly Nyland, Jeff and Brandi Hilfiker, Sam and Aimee Hilfiker, Erin and Shane Reid, Heidi and Jag Gill, Amy Jasper, Leah and Brent Moores, Carrie and Gary Schroeder, Jeremy and Jordan Hilfiker, Brett Jasper, Jarett and Carley Hilfiker, Joel and Rhoda Hilfiker, Alison and Corey Jarnagan, and Johanna and Nick Dexter. Her great-grandchildren, Joshua, Marli, and Aaron Nyland, Grace, Charles, Matthew, and Johnny Moores, Grant, Emelia and Beckett Reid, Nolan and Harper Gray, Addison and Elise Schroeder, Cason and Reese Jarnagan, Collin and Ella Hoyt, Seth, Spencer, Steven, Smith, Silas, Samuel and Sevin Hilfiker, Hannah and Jacob Gill, Derek, Morgan, Jay, and Meredith Hilfiker, Hudson, Sawyer, and Eden Hilfiker, Faith and Adeline Hilfiker, and Weston Hilfiker.

A Celebration of Rositta’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 17th at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Holtville.

Memorial gifts may be given to the music and altar care fund at St Paul’s.