Anthony "Tony" Hilzendeger

Anthony "Tony" Hilzendeger, 59, of Rapid City, SD, formerly of Aberdeen, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025.

Anthony “Tony” A. Hilzendeger Jr. was born to Anthony Sr. “Tony” and Verna (Senger) Hilzendeger on June 2, 1966, in Aberdeen, SD, where he grew up. He attended Aberdeen Roncalli until his senior year and then moved with his parents to Brookings, SD, where he graduated from Brookings High School in 1984. Tony was proudly part of the Brookings 1984 State Football Championship Team.

Tony was a skilled machinist and worked at Safeguard Mounted Bearing Division in Brookings, SD, for a few years. He also worked for many years as a truck driver, a “Commodity Relocation Engineer,” as he often called himself. He worked a number of jobs over the last few years of his life and was skilled at what he did!

Tony was united in marriage to Cathy Butts on March 16, 2006, in Sioux Falls, SD. During their marriage, they resided in Sioux Falls, SD, Maricopa, AZ, and Rapid City, SD.

Tony enjoyed golfing, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, spending time with family and friends, and watching his favorite NFL team, the Las Vegas Raiders.

Grateful for having shared Tony’s life are his sister, Rita (Bruce) Zeller and their children: Christen (Jim) Salfrank (Drew and Addyson Salfrank), Matthew (Carly Erbe) Zeller, Alison (Kris) Harry (Annie and Harper Harry), and Rachel (Jared) Middleton; brother, Curt (Connie) Hilzendeger and their children: Tony Hilzendeger, Tyler Hilzendeger, Chris Hilzendeger, and Collin (fiancé Cassidy Freeman) Hilzendeger; and ex-wife Cathy Hilzendeger (Butts).

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Verna Hilzendeger; paternal grandparents Michael and Magdalena Hilzendeger; maternal grandparents John and Marie Senger; and many aunts and uncles.

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