HILDA HILDEBRAND

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HILDA HILDEBRAND Hilda Nancy Wiebe was born on September 2, 1917, the eighth of nine children born to Johann G. Wiebe and Katherine (Klassen) Wiebe. Her grandparents were among the first groups of Mennonite immigrants from what was then the Russian Empire, and by 1917 her parents were well-established farmers near Winkler, Manitoba. She attended and met her future husband, Dan Hildebrand, at Winkler Bible School. Following their wedding in May 1949, they settled on a farm a few miles north of New Bothwell. She embraced her new life wholeheartedly, and later considered that those early farming years in their modest dwelling were some of the best. In his book, her husband paid the following tribute: Hilda made our life easier in countless ways, in part by adding to our marriage many qualities that I lacked. In a word, I had married someone who is circumspect: watchful on all sides, careful, cautious and prudent. Looking back, it is doubtful I would have succeeded as a farmer in the absence of such a supportive, practical and industrious wife. She and her husband were members of the Niverville M.B. church for 56 years, where she served as church pianist and in other areas. Her love of music was evident all her life, and for decades her family enjoyed hearing her play the piano and sing on a daily basis. She also loved the kitchen, where she had a natural talent for being productive with the best of results, and derived much satisfaction from sharing baked goods and other things and with family and friends. In all their years on the farm, it never occurred to Hilda and Dan that God wanted them anywhere else, and they considered that it was the Lord that had prospered a lifetime of effort. In 1985, they moved to Winnipeg. She was content to leave behind the work and responsibilities associated with farm life, however rewarding these had been, but never slowed down more than she had to and maintained a lifelong passion for being productive and helping others. She considered that her family was the most precious gift of all from a God who never ceases to give without measure. Her grandchildren in particular were the source of much joy and satisfaction in her last decades. Her contributions and life on this earth concluded on October 6, 2011 at the age of 94. She will be fondly remembered and surely missed by her husband of 62 years, Dan Hildebrand, her five children and their spouses - Dennis (Ginny), Lois (Ken Brisky), Jeanne (David Kemp), Marvin (Linda) and Joan (Dennis Giesbrecht); nine grandchildren, two great- grandchildren, and other family and friends. The family wishes to thank the staff of her last two residences, Poseidon Care Centre and Meadowood Manor, for their dedication and care. Those who cared for her in the last eight months reflected on Hilda as a person who was so easy to love . Funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fourth Avenue Bible Church, Niverville. Interment in the Hespeler Cemetery. Visitation Monday, October 10 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 08, 2011