Elizabeth "Betty" Hildebrandt

Elizabeth Margaret (Betty) Hildebrandt, age 79, went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Tuesday, September 18 at Cypress House in Swift Current with her family by her side.  Betty was born on August 29, 1939 on the farm near Rhinefeld to John H.I. and Katherine Wiens.  She attended Iris School and then Wymark School where she received her Grade 12.  Betty married Jake, the love of her life, on July 23, 1965.  Together they built their family farm along with their three children, Randy, Gary and Loreena. 

Betty was a faithful servant in the church.  She served as pianist at Blumenhof Church and was part of the ladies Mission Circle.  At Rhineland, she sang in the choir, was on the lunch committee and social committee, helped with Awana, and was part of the Rhineland Prayer Sisters.  Betty was known for her sewing skills, so she was asked to sew Awana bags for the children, which she did for many years.  The church started sewing “pillowcase dresses” for girls in other countries, and Betty participated in this.  She then had the idea that the boys should have something too, so she started sewing shorts to donate as well.  Betty was still sewing Awana bags and shorts when she moved to Cypress House in 2016.

Betty, a devoted farm wife, helped haul grain, prepared and delivered many meals to the field, and enjoyed feeding all the men who helped on the farm.  She took pleasure in gardening, planting flowers, and just being outside listening to the birds.  She loved baking, especially buns, and making noodles, all with her beloved Bosch machine.  Betty absolutely loved sewing.  As a young woman, Betty went to sewing school where she learned many lifelong skills.  She also enrolled in specialty sewing classes, learning to make everything from jeans to drapes.  The fruits of her labour were seen in her home and in the many clothes she lovingly made for her family.    Probably the most sewing fun she had was to make pajamas for her grandchildren.  She loved searching for the cutest patterns of flannelette to use for the pajamas and then finding just the right color ribbing to match the fabric.  Later on, when she got an electronic sewing machine with an embroidery feature, she made tea towels embroidered with her children’s names on them and pajamas for the grandchildren with their names embroidered in the bottom corner of the shirt.  

In March of 1992, Betty started working part time in Swift Current; she worked at Fanny’s Fabrics for about a year and then she started working at Mr. Drycleaner as an alterationist, a job she enjoyed until 2012.  In these 20 years she learned many new skills and gained a new sense of confidence. She enjoyed visiting with and getting to know the customers, many of whom became lifelong friends.  She worked with many caring and loving people; Shirley Eswick, Bev Caswell, and Mike and Lorraine Flynn were a special part of her life. 

Betty’s six grandchildren, Paul, EmmaJane, Heather, April, Elise, and Brooke brought great pride and joy.  Betty enjoyed sewing, baking, cooking, and making noodles with the grandchildren.  She took the time to sit with them and play or to just be a customer in their restaurant. 

Betty is survived by her son Randy (Sheila) and their three children, Paul, Heather and Brooke; her son Gary (Teresa) and their three children, EmmaJane (Josh) Grimm, April and Elise; and her daughter Loreena (David) Froese.  She is also survived by her siblings, John (Carol) Wiens and Helen (Norm) Osback; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Tiena Hildebrandt, Mary (Hildebrandt) Martens, John (Joyce) Hildebrandt, Justina (George) Antal and Isaac Hildebrandt; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Jake, in 2017; her parents, John and Tina Wiens; her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Eva Hildebrandt, Peter Hildebrandt, Henry Hildebrandt, Helen and Bill Wieler, Mary and Frank Wieler and Elizabeth and Fred Bennett; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Peter and Elizabeth Hildebrandt; and by her nephews, Edwin Wieler, Ronald Wieler and Vernon Hildebrand.

The Funeral Service for Elizabeth “Betty” Hildebrandt was held on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at 1:30 pm from Bridgeway Church, Swift Current, SK with Pastor Alvin Buhler and Pastor Tim Knelsen officiating. Special music was brought by EmmaJane Grimm, Heather, April, Elise, and Brooke Hildebrandt, who sang “It is Well with My Soul” and “Just as I am.” Becky Edler, pianist for the service, played “He Hideth My Soul.” Tributes were given by Betty’s children and grandchildren. The ushers in the church were John Friesen, Marvin Wiens, Harold Langendoen, and Bob Dyck. The Private Family Interment Service was held prior to the Funeral Service from Hillcrest Cemetery, Swift Current, SK with Paul Hildebrandt, David Froese, Ken Wiens, Kirstin Buswell, Gerald Wiens, and Myron Hildebrandt serving as Pallbearers and EmmaJane & Josh Grimm, Heather Hildebrandt, April Hildebrandt, Elise Hildebrandt, and Brooke Hildebrandt serving as Honorary Pallbearers. In memory of Elizabeth Hildebrandt, donations made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan would be appreciated by the family. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elizabeth "Betty" Hildebrandt, please visit our floral store.