Hilda R. Draper

Hilda Rae Draper was born May 17, 1926 in Earlington, KY to Stella and Earnest Ausenbaugh.

She grew up a few miles out of town in a small house perched on top of a hill overlooking woods and a valley below. Her father farmed and was a coal miner. She attended a one-room schoolhouse and graduated at the age of 15.

She worked as a clerk for the Hopkins County government in the courthouse in Madisonville, KY. Later, she headed to Evansville, IN where she attended secretarial school. It was there that she met her future husband, Paul Edward Draper.

She was working as a waitress in a cafe that he would frequent. After serving him a few times, she would often offer him an extra piece of pie. They were married on November 25, 1944 while “Eddy” was on leave. He served in both the Atlantic and the Pacific during WWII. She was 18 and he had just turned 21.

After the war, they lived in Chicago while Eddy attended dental school at Northwestern University. With their two sons in tow, they settled in Lafayette, IN where Eddy founded his orthodontic practice. Four years later they moved to West Lafayette where they would raise all four of their children.

In 1967 they built a beautiful home designed by the architect Elliot Brenner. It had high ceilings and walls of tall windows that overlooked a deep wooded ravine that led down into Happy Hollow Park.

Hilda was both a wonderful as well as fearless cook. There seemed to be nothing she could not do – but she was most known for her delicious pies, Cornish Pasties, and Thanksgiving dressing. She also dried the flowers from her garden from which she made wonderful arrangements. She brought new life to antique primitive chairs and tables that she refinished. Wherever they lived over the years, Hilda created a warm, comfortable home.

When Eddy retired in 1988, they moved to Washington state, settling in Kala Point, just outside of Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula. Their hillside home looked out over the Straits of Juan de Fuca. and Mt. Baker beyond. Hilda had a beautiful garden, with roses of every description, but especially yellow roses – Eddy’s favorite color.

They explored all the beautiful places around them – the mountains, lakes and waterfalls, the coast as well as many of the unique villages scattered about. It was a magical place for them and maybe even more for their adult children and grandchildren who all gathered there for annual trips. In 1994, with their family gathered around, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Afterwards, everyone walked across to the water’s edge and skipped rocks across the water.

At the end of 1998 they returned to West Lafayette. Hilda called it her “10-year vacation”. For many years after, the whole family would return together to the Olympic Peninsula staying near their old home, reliving wonderful memories, and creating new ones.

When Eddy’s health began to fail, Hilda completely dedicated herself to his care. When he died in June of 2013, they had been married for 68 years. They had been as loving and devoted to each other as any two people could ever be.

Hilda lived for another 10 years, enjoying her growing family, especially her great grandchildren. Despite her failing health, she always had a cheerful greeting and wanted most to talk about how grateful she was for her loving family.

With family gathered around, on August 16, 2023, at 97 years of age, Hilda slipped from this world and rejoined the love of her life for all eternity.

Hilda is survived by her children Mark Edward Draper and his wife Marcia of Carmel, IN, Paul Eric Draper and his wife Melinda of Dallas, TX, John Stephen Draper, Fairfield IA, Mary Anne Schmidt and her husband Reid, (and was her favorite son-in-law), of West Lafayette, IN.

Grandchildren: Amy L. Kraner and husband Jordan of Indianapolis, IN, Amanda S. Kramer and husband Daniel J. of Scarborough ME, Paul Edward Draper II and his partner Jessica Gonzalez of Coral Springs, FL, Sean Robert Draper and his partner Ashley Guerra of Dallas, TX, Brandon Riley Schmidt and wife Katie, West Lafayette, IN, Edward Cory Schmidt and his partner Josh Taylor, Portland, OR.

Great Grandchildren: Hannah and Alex Kraner of Indianapolis, IN, Emma and Abby Kramer, Scarborough ME,  Jazlyn Caridad Draper of Coral Springs, FL, Owen Taylor of Branson, MO, Chase Taylor, Tyler Schmidt, Gavin Schmidt, West Lafayette, IN.

Sister Jean Perry, Nieces Patty Summers and Tracy Browning, Cousins Melicent Phelps and Leif Ratliff all of Madisonville, KY.

A private family service will be held August 26, 2023.