Hilda Pauling, age 89, of Bentonville, Arkansas, passed away on December 23, 2023. She was born December 17, 1934, in Paullina, Iowa, the daughter of the late Bruene and Viola Appeldorn Hattermann. Hilda was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. She later served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. She received her education in the Paullina, Iowa area, graduating with the class of 1953, and began working at the O’Brien County Courthouse.
On June 12, 1955, she was united in marriage to Eldred Fred Pauling. They lived in Cherokee, Iowa, where she worked in Lundell Manufacturing Company’s purchasing department. She also worked supporting a CPA and Law office. With Eldred’s business transfer to Montevideo, Minnesota, she was able to work the entire time at a bank. After purchasing two lumber firms in Iowa, they moved back to Cleghorn and later Sutherland. She helped Eldred manage their business till 1979, when they purchased a cattle ranch near Pea Ridge, Arkansas and moved their family to Bentonville. In Bentonville, she and Eldred were active members of Faith Lutheran and later Christ the King Lutheran churches. She was a willing helping hand with the cattle ranch for years and also received her real estate license and sold real estate for Countryside Realty.
Hilda lived a full and beautiful life, sharing joy with everyone she met. She was devoted to her family. Each brought her immense joy and pride. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered as their mom and grandma. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eldred, in 2016, her parents, her siblings Bruene Hattermann Jr and wife Marline, Edward Hattermann and his wife Norma, and Brother-in-law Art Meyer.
Survived by her sister Hazel Meyer of Spirit Lake, Iowa, her legacy consists of her children Kerry Pauling and his wife Debbie of Bentonville, Tammy (Pauling) Burger, and her husband Kent, also of Bentonville. Five grandchildren: Hunter Pauling, Kristen Burger, Garrett Burger, Ashetyn Burger, and Jackson Burger. She also shared the joy of grandma with Mason Burger, Michah Burger, and Maddie Burger, along with Jacob Nance, John Nance, and James Schnoes.
Visitation is Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, and services begin at 11:00 am in the Chapel of Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Interment will follow in the Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Arkansas. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com