Clive “The Candyman” Hilgert, age 94, of Lincoln passed away January 21, 2011. Born March 20, 1916 in Kenesaw, Nebraska to Sylvester and Jose (Krick) Hilgert. He was the owner of Sugar Plum Candies and was involved in the candy business for 77 years. Clive was also a member of the Gateway Sertoma Club.
Survivors include his wife; Katrinka of Lincoln, Sons and Daughter-in-law: Don and JoAnne Hilgert of Lincoln, Bernard Hilgert of McAllen, Texas. Daughter and Son-in-law: Millie Jo and Jim Levitt of Kansas City, Missouri. 6 Grandchildren and 6 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife: Mildred Hilgert.
Services will be held in the Rudge Chapel at Wyuka Cemetery, Monday, January 24, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. Interment will be at Wyuka Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the Peoples City Mission, Salvation Army or Lincoln Food Bank in Clive’s name.
WITH SYMPATHY,Grief, like a wave,has a rhythm of its own. At first, it comes sweeping in, then it recedes, leaving us in quiet peace with the treasures of memory, love, and strength that it carries to our shore. Till grief recedes and peace sustains and loving memory remains. Our thoughts will be with you.
My condolences to your family on Clive’s passing. I worked with Clive for many years at Kinko’s for Sugar Plum Candies. Many of the current packaging for his store was created by him and I together. I even attended his 85th birthday celebration with my new born daughter.(I have not seen him for about 8 years now, since I left Kinko’s.) I love that you called him “The Candyman”. That’s what my husband always called him too, every time Clive brought me chocolates. :-) I remember seeing an article he brought in once that was written about him, and his start in the candy business. How he worked for nothing just to get his foot in the door, and look at what he created. He was a very wonderful man. He accomplished so much in his long-lived life, and that is much to celebrate! I’m thinking of you all today, as I am not able to attend the funeral. Our Blessings from the Haun family.
Shellie Haun
Dear Don, Millie Jo, Bernard and families,
We pray for the peace of God to keep you and The Comforter enfold you in His Love.
The memories you have will sustain you through many years. Robert still talks about your dad driving the Corvette down McGee with the top down and his hair blowing in the wind. Clive was a unique and generous man.
We are very sorry we cannot be there with you.
God Bless you all. With much love, Bob and Caryn
For uncle Clive and ‘best mother’,
I will spend my heaven
indoing good upon earth
After my death
I shall let fall a shower of roses.
Peace/Love
My heart goes out to Clives family. Some of my fondest memories are of the few months I worked for Clive and Katrinka! He will be missed.
My father George Frederick was a candyman too. He and Clive worked at Russell Stover Candies for many years together. My brother George Jr. was also a friend of Clive’s, and we remember Clive’s name from our Dad who spoke so very highly of him as a friend and business man for so many years . Our thoughts are with your family. Nancy and Neil Rohan
Clive was a wonderful man. Always remembering those loved ones whether they were family or friends. My grandmother, Ida Bice, (I believe) was a close friend of Clive’s. Their friendship started over making candies at Russell Stover Candies and continued over their years until her passing 10 years ago. Clive was always a part of my life since birth. I always knew him as “the candy man”. He always had candies in his pockets, in his office or at his home. As I grew up and became an adult, I considered him a dear friend of mine, as our lives were intertwined. I was always able to stop by and chat with him at his store. Clive was a warm, compassionate man. Heaven broke the mold when they made Clive. I know that I will surely miss his smile, his laugh, his words of wisdom and most importantly, his friendship. Clive has returned home and I am sure that he still has candies in his pockets. My thoughts, prayers and love are with his wife and all of his children, Don, Bernie, Millie Jo and their family’s. Please know, Clive did touch my life and will be missed.
Clive was a great guy, he taught me many things that I didn’t know about the candy business and candymaking. I will never forget my experience at Sugar Plum Candies and working with him and his crew in 2003. I last saw him in Milwaukee a few years later at a candy convention and he remembered me right away. He will be missed.