She was born July 22, 1898, in Germany, to the late William and Emily (Lenz) Groth. She came to the United States at the age of two. On October 10, 1916, Hilda married William F. Brown at the Lutheran Church in Underhill. He preceded her in death March 30, 1964. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Gillett, and a charter member of the ELCA-Women. She was the oldest confirmed member of the church. Hilda was one of the first members of the Gillett Golden Agers, a volunteer at the Gillett mealsite and a former member of the Gillett Women's Club.
Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Joyce, Gillett; one daughter and son-in-law, Dottie and Arvin Rank, Neenah; one brother and two sisters-in-law, Edward and Frieda Growth, Eleanor Groth, all of Oconto Falls; seven grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson; and a special person in Hilda's life, RoJene Brown, Columbus.
She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Eleanor Wilson; two infant children; one granddaughter, Patsy M. Kules; and four brothers.
Friends called at St. John Lutheran Church, Gillett. Funeral services were conducted 1 p.m. Friday, January 15, 1999, at the church, with Rev. Dennis N. Nelson officiating. Interment in Wanderers Rest Cemetery, Gillett. Kuehl Funeral Home, Gillett, assissted Hilda's family with arrangements.