Max A. Hilgers

Max Hilgers, age 86, of Kansas City, KS passed away Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Mulvane, KS.

He was born in Leavenworth, KS on February 22, 1938, to the late Michael and Hattie Mae Schoonover Hilgers. During his childhood, his family lived in Kansas (Leavenworth and Kansas City,) and Washington (Seattle), before settling in Dodge City, KS. He told many stories of these places as well as his adolescence in Dodge City with parents, grandparents, other family members and friends. He was an athlete in basketball, tennis, and football. Max attended Dodge City Community College, where he met Marlene Lix, whom he later married. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education at Fort Hays State College and a Master’s degree of Fine Art from The University of Kansas. Max and Marlene were married on June 2, 1961, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dodge City, KS and were married for 62 years. They moved to Kansas City, KS, where they lived for 56 years and raised their four children. Max taught art for 35 years, first at Coronado Junior High and then at F.L. Schlagle High School in Kansas City, Kansas. He was highly influential in the lives of thousands of young students, many of whom would contact him years later and express their gratitude for his leadership and inspiration. His personal work in art included stained glass, painting, ceramics, sculpture and jewelry. Max was a man of many interests and hobbies including enduro motorcycle competitions, archery, antique car restoration, disc golf and RC car racing. He also had a great love for dogs his whole life; many pictures of him included his dog at the time.

Max was a quiet but dynamic leader, both for his students and his family. He once built a BMX bike track in the yard for the kids and later added a motorcycle trail through the woods and an RC track. He also sculpted the land and woods where they lived into a beautiful landscape, combining his love for nature, artistry and fun. He influenced others by example and was a model of embracing our passions and living life to the fullest. He continued painting until his last days of life, freely giving his paintings away to those who admired them.

Max was preceded in death by his parents, Michael A. and Hattie Mae Hilgers; brother, Gary Hilgers; infant son, Mark Hilgers.

Max’s legacy lives on with his many family members: son, Ward (Vicky) Hilgers of Mulvane, KS; grandchildren, Miles (Samantha) Hilgers, Maeve Hilgers; son, Jon (Donna) Hilgers of Kansas City, MO; granddaughter, Elizabeth Hilgers; great-grandchildren, Jude, Marlee Mateos; son, Ross (Aimee) Hilgers of Moorhead, MN; grandchildren, Dash, Bly, Ives Hilgers; daughter, Marty (Robert) Thoele of Kansas City, KS; granddaughter, Myrye (Zakk) Loffredo; great-grandchildren, Carina, Landon Loffredo; granddaughter, Taylor Copley; great-grandchildren, Michael Jr, Thalia Copley; grandson, Morgan Thoele; great-grandchildren, Kaliyah, Kairo Thoele; granddaughter, Payton (Keith Brown) Thoele; great-grandchildren, Ana’Lia, Keith, Kyson Brown.