HILDEBRANDT Peter. Born May 25th, 1919 passed peacefully into the arms of his Lord on Sunday, February 3rd at Menno Home. Peter was born to Peter and Anna Hildebrandt in Neuendorf, Russia and is pre-deceased by his sisters, Rose and Kay and his wife of 46 years, Mary. After his father's death in the 1918 flu epidemic the family eventually moved to Canada in 1923 and took up residence in Winkler, Manitoba. From there they moved to Herbert, Saskatchewan and later to Moose Jaw where Peter graduated from The Oxford Collegiate with the highest standing in English and History in 1937. A further move to Winnipeg followed high school and Peter spent a year at Bethel (Bible) College in Kansas. He later enrolled in the Angus School of Commerce in Winnipeg. After the war broke out he moved to Ottawa leaving his mother and sisters behind in Winnipeg and got a job with the civil service. In order to better support his family in Winnipeg Peter joined the RCAF in 1942 where he served as a radar mechanic in Canada and Britain. He was discharged in 1945. After learning of his mother's dream to live and work in British Columbia, the family moved to Abbotsford in 1946 driving in Peter's 1937 Chevy that he had bought from a friend in Ontario. The family eked out a living on a 5 acre parcel of land in West Abbotsford and attended the West Abbotsford Mennonite Church (now Level Ground Mennonite Church). It was here that Peter came to faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized upon profession of his faith in 1948. Peter would like people to remember him as "a sinner saved by grace." While studying to become an industrial arts teacher at Vancouver Vocational Institute, Peter met Mary Ratzlaff whom he knew from grade 2 in Herbert, Sask. After a seven year courtship he finally proposed to Mary and they were married in 1960 - "the best decision I ever made!" After getting married they lived closer to the centre of town and transferred their church membership to Seven Oaks Alliance Church. They enjoyed the fellowship there and made many close friends. Peter worked for the Abbotsford School District for 23 years while Mary worked at MSA Hospital and at Mission Hospital. They retired in 1974 and had many good years of travel together and extending hospitality to friends and new acquaintances. They often visited with residents at Menno Home. Peter believed that we are only temporary owners of all that God has given and became known for his generous support for many organizations. His "office" was the Tim Horton's on Sumas Way where the staff knew how to prepare "Peter's coffee". One of his mottos in life was "use it or lose it!" and until his death he tried to walk every day. Almost total blindness in later years meant that someone had to lend an elbow. Always the teacher, Peter used these opportunities to recite some memorized poetry, Shakespeare, or Low German phrases or just reflect on the state of world affairs. Many friends and extended family members who rejoice that the Good Shepherd has reunited him and his beloved Mary at the table prepared for all the saints in heaven will sadly miss Peter. There will be a viewing at the Wiebe & Jeske Funeral Home, 202-31314 Peardonville Road, Abbotsford on Tuesday February 12th at 9:00 am followed by a graveside service at 10:30 am at Musselwhite Cemetery and a service of remembrance at Seven Oaks Alliance Church at 12 noon. The family wishes to express their thanks to the staff at Menno Home for their care for Peter over the past four months. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to MCC.
Online condolences to the family may be made to: www.wiebeandjeskefh.com
Wiebe & Jeske 604.859.5885