Obituary of Jacob Hildebrandt

The Lord gave, and Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21b

It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our Husband, Father and Grandfather. Jacob B. Hildebrandt went to be with the Lord on December 15, 2020, at the Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB. He reached the age of 73.  Dad went into Hospital on November 12, 2020 came out on November 23, 2020 and November 25, 2020 early in the morning went into hospital again and stayed until his death Tuesday, December 15, 2020.

Dad was predeceased by his parents Isaac & Helena (Bergen) Hildebrand. Stepmother Susana (Toews) Hildebrand, one sister Anna Hildebrand (Krause) and two brothers Peter, Phillip Hildebrand. His daughter Hilda, and one grandson (Mathew). Dad was born in Canada on September 14, 1947, then moved to Paraguay with his parents and 3 siblings when he was 9 months old. He was baptized on May 19,1967 in Paraguay. Dad is survived by his loving wife Helena (Dueck) Hildebrand of 51 years and their six children: Ernie (Anne) Hildebrand; Erna (Bill) Doerksen; Edward (Brenda) Hildebrand; Johnny (Hilda) Hildebrand; Verna Hildebrand; Anna (Gord) Meneer: 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Dad is also survived by five siblings (Mary, Martha, Billy, John, and Lena,) and two brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, many nieces, nephews and friends.

 Dad was raised in Paraguay and worked at his parents shop in Colony Bergthal fixing steam engines, Kerosene tractors, to modern day equipment.  Mom & Dad were married in June 27, 1969. Then they moved to town ship #5, hobby farmed some cattle, pigs, chicken, soybeans, building his own machinery, multiple Sawmills and logging outfits. In 1975, they auctioned off their belongings and moved to Bolivia where mom’s family lived. The stay was short lived. They moved their family back to Paraguay Steinbach and lived there for numbers of years. Dad worked at various places to feed the family.  Then he found work for Otto Heck in Tress Palma logging and doing whatever needed to be done, from being a cook, for some 80 people or being a mechanic fixing machinery in the jungle. We lived in Tress Palma for about 4 years. Dad and Ernie ran a mechanic shop after a while, it wasn’t working out so he went back to forestry work. Dad loved to play his accordion and in Tress Palma when Dad was home, he would play it outside then the following day the towns people would talk and say “yo dei Hildebrand wea tohuus, dei hoed gootit shpeill”, (yes, the Hildebrand was home he had some good music)

A song that was dear to Dad when he was still able was: “Welt, ade! Ich bin muede” by Helen, Frank and John Wall (World, farewell, I am weary of thee #247 in the German gesank buch).            

 On April 28.1981 Jacob & Helena with their children moved to Manitoba, Canada. He started working at Loewen windows and in 1984. Dad had an eye operation and since then had a glass eye. They moved the family to Niverville where he worked at Hanover Farms, and then moved to various different jobs to make ends meet. In 1994 he moved his wife and 2 youngest daughters to Grunthal and began working at Barkman Concrete. Where he lost his right-hand pointer finger at the middle joint, in January of 1996. He also worked at a number of hog barns and again various other jobs before retiring from Grunthal Welding in 2011, due to major lung health issues. After his retirement they moved to Steinbach, where he resided until his recent passing.

Dad loved his fishing, playing music and long car trips. Dad’s life was not always easy although he had many struggles, he always tried to make the best of things. Dad was a very humble man and always willing to lend a hand when in need. We children learned many life lessons from our Dad while growing up in the Hildebrand household.  Dad’s hands were hard as steel when we done wrong, other times they were loving, kind and made spending family time together enjoyable.

He was very appreciative for all that the nurses and doctors did for him. Thank you to the Doctors and the many wonderful, caring, and compassionate nurses at the Bethesda Hospital and the Birchwood Funeral staff for all you have done for Dad, on be half of Jacob Hildebrandt and Family.

~The Hildebrand Family

The viewing for Jacob will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., due to Covid restrictions only 5 people may enter at a time and social distancing protocols along with masks are still mandatory. Please remain inside your vehicle until directed.

The livestreamed private family service will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB. 

The link will remain on our website for 90 days following the service for further viewing opprotunities.

Donations on behalf of Jacob B. Hildebrandt can be made to Canadian Lung Association or Bethesda Foundation.