Hilda I. Hubbs

Hilda Irene Hubbs, 96, formerly of Mooresville, IN and currently of Austin, TX, entered her eternal home on May 29, 2014. She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 29, 1918 to the late Henry George and Elizabeth (Gaalema) Hotopp. She grew up in Southside Indianapolis, attending PS 72 and graduating from Emmerich Manual Training High School. As a teen she enjoyed playing sports and working with the Epworth League of the Methodist Church on Shelby Street. On January 21, 1939 she married OlasA. Hubbs who preceded her in death, passing away just two days after their 74th wedding anniversary. Hilda was a homemaker and worked as a clerk-typist for a variety of businesses in Indianapolis until she retired in 1983. In 1949 she and her husband moved to Camby, Indiana, raising their family in the house he built. In 1953 she became a Brownie Scout troop leader. For over 40 years she continue to devote much of her time to Girl Scouting in Decatur Township and the Hoosier Capital Council. She served as a Brownie, Cadette, and Senior troop leader, neighborhood chairman, day camp founder and director, and leadership trainer for adults. She and her husband planned and participated in many camporees, hikes, canoe trips for Girl Scouts and even helped blaze trails at Camp Gallahue. In 1982 the Girl Scouts awarded her the Anna M. Ridge Award in recognition for the impact she had on girls' lives. She cherished the notebook of nomination letters from so many of “her girls.” This notebook was always near her favorite reading chair and she reread those letters often. Words often repeated in those letters were “great teacher” and “selfless service.” In retirement Hilda enjoyed camping and traveling with Olas throughout the United States in their VW and Dodge campers and visiting children and grandchildren in Wisconsin and Texas. Also in retirement she and Olas became Master Gardeners. They created a wild life refuge on two acres of their property and enjoyed observing their wild visitors. They also used this retreat to host many wiener roasts and campouts for family members, Girl Scout troops, and church youth groups. With their gardening skills they maintained a ½ acre vegetable garden plus many flower beds around the house. These gardens made a special setting for many family reunions and their 60th wedding anniversary celebration. Hilda was a long time member of the Plainfield United Methodist Church where she helped with Vacation Bible School classes and their annual Harvest Festival, among other things. In 2007 Olas and Hilda move to Meadow Lakes in Mooresville where they enjoyed sharing time with neighbors they had known in the community for decades. In the last year of her life Hilda moved to Austin, Texas to be near her daughter. Even though she came to Horizon Bay and later Lou's House not knowing anyone, she soon made friends with staff and residents alike, sharing her unique sense of humor and her favorite phrase--”If not, why not.” Hilda is preceded in death by her husband Olas, her daughter Barbara Jean O'Connor and siblings Joseph Hotopp, Lillian Bodenreider, Anna Hotopp, and Henrietta Jordan. She is survived by son Olas “Skip” (Marsha) Hubbs of Mooresville, and daughters Linda (Daniel) Munger of Round Rock, Texas and Beverly Gaalema of Appleton, Wisconsin; grandchildren Olas “Chip” (Staci) Hubbs, of Marysville, OH, Andrew Hubbs, Indianapolis, James (Deanna) Munger of Austin, TX, William Munger, of Round Rock, TX, Ted (Erika) Bush of Reston, VA, and Susan Bush of Chicago, IL; and great grandchildren Abbey, Gracie, Peyton, and Haley Hubbs, Zachary and Samuel Munger, and Julian Bush. Graveside services will be Monday, June 2, at noon at Fairfield Friends Cemetery in Camby, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Plainfield United Methodist Church in Plainfield, Indiana or to the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, in Indianapolis.