Irene “Connie” Hill 05/03/2023

Connie Hill, beloved mother, grandmother and sister, died peacefully at home in New Richmond, Wisconsin on May 3rd, 2023 at the age of 84.
Connie was born at Amery Hospital on July 17, 1938 to Vaemond and Irene (L’Allier) Crane. Connie grew up on the family “Century” farm in Bunyan near Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. Her most cherished memory of her childhood was time spent with her grandmother Hattie and when her baby sister Faye was born when Connie was nine years old.
Connie graduated as Salutatorian from Balsam Lake High school, class of 1956. She then worked for the county government in the social services department until the twins were born. In 1968 she started at the Polk County Ledger as a layout artist/keyliner until 1977 when, with her husband, they purchased and ran the Polk Inn restaurant in Balsam Lake until 1987. Connie went on to work for Llewellyn Publications in Saint Paul Minnesota, working her way up from typist to Senior Book Editor during her 28 years there until she retired. Connie was always active in library and business related organizations throughout her adult life. The Balsam Lake Library, Polk County Historical Society Museum, Balsam Lake Commercial Club, and was a member of Business and Professional Women at local, state, and national levels and was elected State President in 2005. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchild. She kept herself busy reading, writing poetry, and a Bachelor’s degree, graduating with honors. In 1957, she met and was soon united in marriage to Mervin “Mike” Hill. They were blessed with five children born to this union and shared many happy family times during their 50 years together until Mike’s death in 2007. Preceded in death by her parents, best friend and sister Faye Crane, and husband Mervin “Mike” Hill. Survived by her beloved children Michael (Carolina) Hill of Chicago IL., Melanie (Knut Loras) Hill of Steinkjer, Trondheim, Norway, Valerie (Jeffrey Kraker) Hill of Minneapolis, MN., Brian (Katherine Korsgaard) Hill of Lilydale, MN., and Sally (Bob) Wolff of Amery, WI; grandchildren, Alexander, Samuel (Rebecca) and Eliza Kraker, Madeleine and Amanda Loras, and Rosalie (Nicolas) Blomstrand and great grandchild Axel Kraker; brothers Vaemond (Bonnie) Crane, James (Jan) Crane, and Clair (Carol) Crane as well as many nieces and nephews.
A private funeral service will be held. Please respect the wishes of the family. Bakken-Young Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements. Burial in Balsam Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Balsam Lake Public Library at 404 Main Street, Balsam Lake, WI 54810 or https://balsamlakepubliclibrary.org