Jacob H. Hildebrandt was born on August 18, 1915 in the Ukraine in the village of Leonidowka . In 1926 he immigrated to Canada with his parents, six brothers and one sister. They settled in Saskatchewan for a period of time, struggling through the Depression. The family lost both their father and sister while living in Saskatchewan. Dad was baptized upon confession of his faith in Parkerview, Sask. on July 10, 1938. After a time the family moved to Manitoba and bought a farm at Silberfeld. On June 28, 1952 Jacob married Mary Nikkel and they took over the Nikkel’s dairy farm at Grunthal, MB. Here they raised 4 children and farmed till 1978, when they retired to Steinbach, where they joined the Steinbach Mennonite Church in 1980. In 1992, when Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers and moved to Bethesda Place, Dad moved to Fernwood, where he lived on his own till 2005. After breaking his hip in a fall he was moved to Rest Haven Nursing Home, where he spent his last years. Dad passed away just before 4 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2008, with family by his side. He was predeceased by: his wife Mary in 2000; by his parents, all six brothers and one sister. He is survived by: Leona (Robert) Bordun, Craig and Tyler; Dan (Nancy) Hildebrandt, Karin (Rob), Amy, and AJ; Joanne (Art) Dueck, Nathan, Lisa, and Stephanie; Pete (Sheila) Hildebrandt, Keith and Alexandra. The funeral service will take place at Birchwood Funeral Chapel in Steinbach on Thursday, June 12 at 2:00 p.m. with viewing prior to the service. Interment at Heritage Cemetery. If friends so desire donations may be made to Mennonite Central Committee; 134 Plaza Drive; Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9