Margaret Hildebrand was born on March 16, 1921 in Schoenfeld, South Russia which is now the Ukraine. She was the first of four daughters born to Margaretha and Johann Peters. Following the upheaval of the Russian Revolution, the family emigrated to Canada in 1927. Initially, they settled in Glenlea, Manitoba but after several years, they moved to Grunthal, which would be Margaret’s home for most of her lifetime. Margaret was baptized at Elim Church in 1942 by Aeltester W.H. Enns. After graduating from Normal School in 1942 she began her teaching career at Gravel Ridge School and then moved to Goodwill School in Grunthal. In April 1955, she married Henry Franz, a widower, with two children, Ron and Jean. For several years, they lived on a small farm near Wembley, Alberta and during this time, her son John was born. In 1958, with the lease on their farm about to expire, the family relocated to Manitoba after Margaret was hired to teach at Woolwich. She would remain here for seven years, until - with the closing of the small rural schools imminent – she accepted an offer to again teach at Goodwill School. She was widowed for the first time in 1970 upon the death of Henry Franz. In 1976 she remarried to John Hildebrand, but was widowed a second time in 1978. Margaret continued teaching until her retirement in 1985, having taught over 1100 students - in some cases teaching students from three generations within the same family. In her retirement years, she lived with her sister Sara in their house on Main Street and later in the Menno Home. Margaret will be remembered for her strong faith in Jesus Christ, for her gentle nature, and for her patience and caring for others. She is survived by her son John, his wife Margo Wiebe and their children, Claire and Gretchen; her step children, Jean Hennig and her children Debbie, Arlene and Wendy; Ron Franz and his children Geoffrey, Rebecca and Kelly; her sister Sara Peters, her sister Jessie (Henry) Peters, and her sister Mary (Herman) Enns. Viewing will be held at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 150 Penfeld Dr, Steinbach on Friday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Elim Mennonite Church, 30 Main St, Grunthal with interment at the Grunthal Cemetery.