Martin K Hildebrand

1951 – 2015

Dad was born in Osterwick, Mexico on April 9, 1951 to Martin & Margaretha Hildebrand.  He was the 5th  of 11 children.  Dad’s childhood years were spent growing up in the district of Osterwick, Mexico where he also went to school.  Dad moved from Mexico to Canada in 1972 where he met his future wife.  At the age of 22, Dad was baptized upon the confession of his faith at the Old Colony Church on June 10, 1973.  Dad married Nettie Wiebe on July 1, 1973. They took up residence in Reinfeld, MB.  In Dad’s earlier years he worked for the Town of Winkler cementing sidewalks and changed jobs continuing with cement work for Cornie Wall.  In the early 80’s, Dad started his own business, Hildebrand Concrete.  Dad was blessed with 7 children; Nettie, Martin (a.k.a. Lopez), Ben Cornie, Jake, Margaret, and Theresa.  Dad was also blessed with 18 grandchildren.  Dad enjoyed working outdoors in the sun.  He worked hard earning an income to provide for his family.  Dad enjoyed being in the company of family and friends.  Strangers were friends he hadn’t met yet.  He always opened the door to anyone, it didn’t matter who they were.  When someone needed help, either with housing or temporary financial help, he was there.  When people came from Mexico or wherever, people would say “Go see Martin Hildebrand, in Reinfeld, he might be able to help you”.  I don’t know one person he would have sent away.  He always helped and if he didn’t have the answer he found someone who did.  He even gave people a temporary living area until they could find a permanent home.  Mom and Dad together have made many great memories with their children.  We remember the trip to British Columbia in the blue van and Uncle Pete & his family being with us.  What great memories we made and then there are some not so great moments.  Dad wouldn’t want you to think he was perfect because he wasn’t.  Just like you know we all have our struggles.  Dad became ill in September 2010 and was hospitalized for just shy of 3 months.  Dad was on life support for 71/2 weeks and had full time dialysis.  The doctor diagnosed him with Necrotizing Pneumonia and they also found out he had diabetes.  Dad never bounced back to his old self.  At times he would mention about not feeling well.  He always felt cold and yet he had a burning sensation under his feet.  He was almost always short of breath.  Yes, there were days he looked and felt better.  Thirteen months ago Dad moved to Winkler to be closer to his 8 brothers and sisters and children in the Winkler area.  This move was made because his brothers and sisters wanted to help him and show him they cared, which we very much appreciated.  We got to see more of Dad in this time.  Early December he came over and said he was moving back to Winnipeg and our hearts sank at this decision to move.  On December 30, 2015 we got the news Dad passed away peacefully in his sleep from a blood clot.  He was predeceased by his parents, 2 brothers-in-law, 3 nephews and 1 niece.  He leaves to mourn 6 brothers and 4 sisters and their families.  We will miss him very much.

Funeral service was held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday January 7, 2016 at Winkler Sommerfeld Mennonite Church with interment at Waldheim Cemetery.

Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler

In care of arrangements

wiebefuneralhomes.com