Jacob “Jake” P. Hildebrand

1920 – 2005

Early on the morning of October 26, 2005 at Tabor Home in Morden, Jacob (Jake) Hildebrand age 85 years of Morden, formerly of Manitou went to his eternal rest.

Dad was born august 1, 1920 to Peter and Katherine Hildebrand, north of Winkler.  Dad received Christ as his personal Saviour in January of 1944.  In the same year, upon confession of his faith was baptized by Bishop David Schultz and accepted into the Bergthaler Church at Winkler.

On August 7, 1949 he was united in marriage to Sarah Krahn of Winkler where they resided for the first years.  In the spring of 1954, they moved to farm at Manitou where they lived together for 35 years.  Here they became members of and attended the MB church.

Mom and Dad raised two sons on the farm, Ray and Rick.  Ray continued working the family farm.  Dad enjoyed farming with Ray until his health prevented him from carrying on any longer.  Dad was quite particular in his farming practices.  When Ray didn’t drive the tractor quite straight enough, Dad would tell him to straighten out the next pass.  Rick went on to become a conservation officer, first in Manitoba for just over 13 years, then moving to BC to continue the same career there.  Dad loved to go hunting and fishing with his son, Rick.  Together they traveled around the province on various fishing trips, enjoying their time together.  They spent many a pleasurable day hunting in the Manitou area.  Many a deer had to be dragged out of the valley where Dad and Rick  went hunting together.  Dad enjoyed these activities into his seventies when his health began to deteriorate and prevent him from continuing.

Dad was very fond of all his children and grandchildren and loved to spend quality time with each one of them.  He read many a story, helped with drawing and provided lots of hugs and lap time.  Dad was very faithful in his prayers for all his children and grandchildren.  His desire was that they would all be followers of Christ.  He prayed for everyone by name every day.

Dad always experienced good health in his earlier years.  In his mid-sixties, he developed adult diabetes and a few years later, he suffered a mild stroke from which he recovered.  In 1996, he started having angina attacks and his condition continued to worsen.  By august of that year, he underwent a four-way by-pass operation after being in critical condition for a number of days.  With all the prayers and God’s will, he pulled through to be with us another nine years.

In July of 2003, Dad’s condition worsened and he spent five months in Boundary Trails Health Centre before being admitted into Tabor Home in Morden.  He remained there until his passing.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, Sarah (nee Krahn), son Ray and wife Nettie of Manitou and their children, Charlene, Candace and her husband Steve Bryce, Son Rick and his wife Esther of Kamloops, BC and their children Joanna and Ryan; a very special niece, Darlene Bergen and her husband Vern.  He is also survived by two sister, Lena Friesen and Anne Hiebert and husband Jake.

He was predeceased by five brothers and two sisters.

Dad, you will be greatly missed by all of us.  We will remember your warm smile looking down on us from heaven.

Funeral service was held on Saturday, October 29, 2005 at 2:00 pm at the Morden Mennonite Church with Rev. Morris Vincent and Rev. Harold Hildebrand-Schlegel officiating.  Interment followed at the Chapel Cemetery. 

Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden in care of arrangements.