Congratulations to Martha A. Hillmer

Extraordinary doesn’t always mean famous. Sometimes, it looks like quiet strength, a steady hand that builds stability in the midst of constant change. For Martha A. Hillmer, that word fits perfectly. As a military wife who packed up her family 18 times in 30 years, she learned to turn upheaval into opportunity and challenge into compassion. Every move meant starting over — new homes, new schools, new communities — yet Martha never stopped giving back. From leading Girl Scouts overseas to volunteering in her children’s classrooms and later serving the Bloomington community she now calls home, she has spent a lifetime lifting others wherever she landed.

That spirit of resilience didn’t appear overnight. It was planted early, in the quiet rhythms of a small-town farm in McLean County near Danvers, Illinois. As the eldest of eight children and the oldest of 36 grandchildren on her mother’s side, Martha grew up in a bustling household rooted in hard work, faith and service to others. Those early lessons in perseverance and purpose would guide her through a life defined by movement, yet grounded in love, faith and a deep desire to serve.

Although her rural upbringing gave her a solid foundation, Martha often felt isolated from her peers, especially during her high school years. She attended Trinity High School, now known as Central Catholic, in Bloomington, Illinois, which was 15 miles away from her family farm. For the first two and a half years, she lived with her grandmother in town and walked to school each day. Later, when she was old enough to drive, she began commuting, though access to a car was sometimes difficult due to her large family.

Despite those challenges, Martha grew to love Bloomington, preferring its small-town urban charm to the solitude of farm life. It was the beginning of a lifelong appreciation for community and connection for Martha.

Martha’s parents were strong role models who exemplified community involvement. Her father served on the school board, the grain elevator board, and was active in the church and local Farm Bureau. Her mother was equally engaged, contributing through 4-H, the church choir and various service activities, all while raising eight children.

Martha attended Illinois State University (ISU), majoring in elementary education and graduating in 1969, at just 20 years old. Her early graduation was the result of a combination of a late birthday as well as her determination; she took summer courses and completed her degree in three years. Inspired by the educators in her family, including her mother and grandmother, she had set her sights on teaching from an early age, often playing “school” with her younger siblings. Her passion for teaching only grew stronger with time.

During her time at ISU, she served as vice president of Hewett Hall, a role that introduced her to a wider world of student leadership. In 1968, at a Midwestern residence hall leadership convention hosted by ISU, she met her future husband, Bob, who was studying at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. The two struck up a correspondence through letters and married in 1970, nearly two years after meeting.

Together, Martha and Bob raised four children while navigating the unique demands of military life. As an Air Force family, they moved 18 times over 30 years. Their children, who collectively attended 22 different schools, adapted well. Today, they are spread across all four U.S. time zones, having grown into accomplished adults with college degrees, careers they enjoy and families of their own. When asked about her children, Martha laughs, “All right. Can I brag now? My kids are awesome.” She is beyond proud of how well-adjusted and independent they’ve become.

As a military spouse, Martha’s life became a whirlwind of cultural shifts, relocations and resilience. With a smile, she reflects, “Sometimes I wonder how I did that.” Martha and Bob made the intentional choice to keep the family together on all assignments, even when it would’ve been easier for her and the children to stay put. “I wanted my children to be with their dad,” she said. “Even to a certain degree, to see what he was doing.”

Overseas, their lives were both challenging and enriching. Despite the frequent changes, Martha ensured her children had a sense of stability and identity. She made it a rule to have their home fully set up within three months of arriving and they kept every holiday tradition from each country they lived in. To keep herself busy, Martha embraced every new location with a spirit of service, whether leading Girl Scouts, teaching Sunday school or getting involved in the kids’ schools. The relocations took a toll on Martha; she especially struggled in Italy with difficulties like crime, corruption, pollution and being a full-time teacher.

After years of moving, Martha eventually settled back in Bloomington, Illinois. Unlike the military lifestyle, where each move meant a clean slate, Martha found that long-term roots came with different challenges. “We’ve been here 25 years now,” she laughed. True to form, she remains involved, always seeking ways to contribute and support her community.

Through every upheaval, faith anchored Martha’s life. A particularly harrowing moment came later in life, when Bob was in a devastating bicycle accident that broke nearly every vertebra in his neck. Temporarily paralyzed, he narrowly survived thanks to a helmet and quick medical care. That night, shaken and alone, Martha prayed for reassurance. What followed was a profound spiritual experience — a cooling sensation that swept over her body, unmistakable and comforting. “I just felt like that was God saying, ‘I'm with you,’” she said. Her faith, passed down by her parents and grandparents, remained a constant source of strength.

From 19 years as a substitute teacher at St. Mary’s School, to her leadership and logistical support with Faith in Action, to her and her husband’s two-decade-long commitment to Unbound, Martha has lived a life of service that bridges local and global needs. Whether supporting aging neighbors or nurturing children in developing countries, her philosophy is simple and powerful: “Find your gift, find your niche... even if it's only for a year or less.”

Her global outreach through Unbound sponsorships over the past 21 years has not only transformed the lives of 12 children across nine impoverished nations but it has transformed her own. In one case, she helped a 10-year-old girl achieve her dream of graduating magna cum laude from college. “I cry every time,” she says of receiving the farewell letters. It’s clear these connections aren’t just financial, they’re deeply human.

Martha’s community work has also been deeply admired by those who know her best. Lisa Majernik, who nominated her, shared, “Martha has a goal of providing 20 rides for Faith in Action each month. She plans her days and her errands through whom she can help take to medical appointments. She is one of Faith in Action’s first volunteers and has faithfully helped the organization since 2005. In 2024, she was Faith in Action’s top driver, traveling 2,152 miles to help local older adults. She also serves as the secretary on the board of directors.”

Lisa adds, “I think she is extraordinary because she does not seek attention or let others know what she is doing. She serves humbly and lovingly. She is there to support so many people and has changed many lives through her teaching and her volunteering. She is someone who quietly makes the world better.”

Another nominator, Michael O'Donnell, echoed that admiration, saying, “Martha is a faith-filled woman who finds fulfillment in serving others and overcoming the challenges of time and distance. Her love for Bob, her children, and grandchildren has enabled her to raise a family around the world while Bob served in the Air Force and continues to travel to visit her children and maintain strong family bonds today. Martha is a servant leader. She puts her faith into action every day. Martha shows her love by serving others. Her love and dedication have inspired the Faith in Action staff, our core of 500 volunteers, and the many Care Receivers whom she has served over the years. Martha is one of Faith in Action's congregational liaisons as well. Through her exemplary service Martha has motivated other members of St. Mary’s Church to volunteer their time and talents.”

The sentiment that best captures her life may come from a quote Martha herself cherishes — one attributed to Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “Do little things with great love.” As Michael summarized, “Martha Hillmer has lived an extraordinary life by doing many ordinary things for many people, with great love and devotion.”

She lives by the principles of flexibility, faith and shared blessings, believing the gifts we receive are not meant to be hoarded, but to be given. Martha speaks with gratitude for her family, her community, and the life she’s been able to lead, but beneath that humility is a clear pattern: whenever she saw a need, she stepped in.

Martha describes herself as a “worker bee.” She doesn’t see her contributions as extraordinary, just as things “you ought to be doing.” But when you listen to her story, it’s clear that extraordinary doesn’t always wear a spotlight. Sometimes, it shows up in choir rehearsals, casseroles for grieving families, handwritten letters to sponsored children overseas or rides to the dialysis clinic. Whether coordinating church hospitality, serving as Eucharistic minister, participating on strategic committees, or leading behind-the-scenes administration for Faith in Action, she is always present, steady, dependable and kind.

In recognition of her decades of service, she has received honors such as the Phil Covey Volunteer of the Year Award from United Way and a Service Award from Central Catholic High School, shared with her husband. But she brushes these off with a laugh and says, “I’m just sharing my gifts… helping where I can… supporting my husband and family.”

When asked for life advice for young women today, Martha doesn’t hesitate: “Be flexible… seek help… and try to give something.” Her words capture the essence of a life lived not for recognition, but for purpose. If you ask Martha what defines an extraordinary person, she’ll simply say it’s someone who “gives of themselves always… and impacts the lives of others.” And that’s exactly what she’s done — again and again, through every move, every challenge, every season of change.

Extraordinary, after all, isn’t about standing in the spotlight. It’s about showing up and in quiet acts of faith that ripple far beyond what the eye can see. In that sense, Martha A. Hillmer’s legacy is not just one of service, but of steadfast love, a life that proves the most ordinary moments, lived with grace, are anything but ordinary.

Story written by Emma Stanford, EOW intern