Harlan James Hilscher, 88, of High Hill, passed away Friday, June 13, 2025, as he was alongside his loving wife, Lillian.
He was born in Middle Creek on Feb. 28, 1937, to Alfred and Elsie (Winkler) Hilscher. He grew up working on the farm with his father, where he developed a strong work ethic and a love for the outdoors. In the mornings, Harlan would milk the cows and load their milk along with the neighbors’ milk into his father’s truck. Barely old enough to see over the steering wheel, Harlan delivered the milk to the Carnation Company all before school. He graduated from Schulenburg High School in 1955 and moved to Houston with his sister Mildred and brother-in-law Armand to work at International Harvester. On the weekends, he would drive his beloved 1957 black Chevy Bel Air to take out his best girl, Lily. Soon after, he married Lillian on Sept. 20, 1959.
Harlan was a salesman for 50 years with International Harvester. Harlan and Lillian lived in Houston while raising their two daughters, Pamela and Kimberly. As a lifelong Houston resident, he was highly involved in the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, serving as a lifetime member of the Corral Club committee. He was a devoted member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. He was a lifelong fan of the Astros – whether on TV or the radio, he was always tuned into the game. Harlan also enjoyed supporting his annual hometown church picnics (High Hill and Dubina), volunteering while catching up with old friends.
After retiring, Harlan and Lily returned to his family’s Schulenburg property in 2005, rebuilt the homestead and became a full-time cattle rancher. In between farming, gardening and smoking meats on the grill, Harlan enjoyed hunting all of his life with family and friends everywhere from Terlingua to Cotulla to Hondo. He was also known as “The Fixer” – from small engines to bulldozers, truly anything on the ranch could be renewed with the work of his hands. Most of all, Harlan was notorious for his quick wit and sense of humor. He had a special way of making friends with everyone after the first conversation, and he loved cutting jokes with everyone with whom he interacted, constantly making people laugh. At the end of the day, Harlan could be found sitting on the back porch admiring the sunset amongst the grazing cattle, resting in the fruits of his labor on the land to which he devoted his whole life tending.
Harlan is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Lillian (Janecka) Hilscher; daughters, Pamela Hollywood and husband Mark of Katy, , and Kimberly Luber and husband Craig of Magnolia; sister, Gerri Morgan and husband Bill of High Hill; grandchildren, Kyle Hollywood and wife Rachel, Kreg Hollywood and wife Celia, Rachel Knight and husband James, and Ashlee Gould and husband Thomas; great-grandchildren, Landon, Jackson, Beth and Reese Hollywood, Logan, Robin and Dawson Knight, and Hayden and Lennon Gould.
Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill, with interment following at the High Hill Church Cemetery. Attending pallbearers were grandsons Kyle Hollywood, Kreg Hollywood, James Knight and Thomas Gould, and friends Mike Williamson, and Shane Mitschke.
Harlan was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Elsie (Winkler) Hilscher; sister Mildred Hollas and husband Armand; and grandson Kaden Luber.
Memorial contributions may be made to High Hill Restoration Fund or to a charity of one’s choice.