Andrew J. Hildahl

SIOUX CITY | Andrew J. Hildahl, 93, formerly of Sioux City, passed away peacefully in his sleep Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013, at his Nevada Iowa home. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at First Lutheran Church in Sioux City. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel in Sioux City. Condolences may be sent online at www.meyerbroschapels.com. He was born, raised and lived until recently in Sioux City. During his term in the military, Andrew help build the Alaskan-Canadian highway. He enjoyed telling tales of his many adventures during his time in Alaska. He returned from the military to resume, for the next 40 years, his career and passion of being a railroad engineer for The Great Northern Railway. He retired at age 62 to care for his then ailing and cherished wife, Iris. He was a lifelong charter member of First Lutheran Church and Abu-Bekr Shrine. Andy, as he was known by most, had a spark for life, and undeniable charm and a consistent twinkle in his spectacular blue eyes. Combining those characteristics with a desire to engage all lead many to say that he never met a stranger. Andy was a dedicated, patient, teaching and understanding father of great character that his family could consistently count on for advice and help. During his spare time, he enjoyed and was accomplished at fixing and enhancing all things mechanical, gardening and visiting with his beloved family. On his journey through life, he met a trail of people that will remember his warmth, kindness, integrity and humor. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word and will be greatly missed. We are all proud to call him dad and our friend. He is loved and survived by his sons, Andrew G. Hildahl and Jeffrey Hildahl and his wife Rebecca Hildahl; his daughters, Julie Coppola and her husband Michael A. Coppola and Kris Tillo and her husband John J Tillo; grandchildren, Jessica Coppola Brown and her husband Dr. Adam Brown, Taylor Coppola, John A Tillo and his wife Sophia Tillo, Jennifer Gerard and her husband Nicolas Gerard, Connor Hildahl, and Hailey Hildahl; and great-granddaughter, Hailey Gerard. He is preceded in death by his wife, Iris; his brother, William Hildahl; and his sister, Caroll Keliher.