Harold Eldor Hilderman. Harold lived almost his entire life in Yorkton and district. He had many relatives in the area and he liked almost everyone he met and worked with. He had a smile ready for anyone and he liked to talk... talk... talk. When he travelled it was always to see relatives in the "far country"... like, Winnipeg or Saskatoon or Kelowna. He loved his neighbors and family. He especially loved fishing with loved ones when he still had the energy. Most of all, Harold loved his church, especially his local congregation. He displayed his LLL and Lutheran Hour and Luther's Seal stickers, plaques and pins proudly. He held the offices of congregation president and elder many times over the years. He was an officer on the church board in Stornoway during the difficult period when they built the "new" church and parsonage. That church now stands in Springside. Harold joined the air force during WWII. The most he saw of Eastern Canada was during his training there. He served as an air frame technician. One of the happiest days of his life was when he found out he was to be stationed at Yorkton to service training aircraft. Harold was born on August 6, 1923 in Winnipeg, MB to Alexander and Marie Hilderman. Very soon after, the young family began farming in the Stornoway area. Harold enjoyed his growing up years on the farm. He welcomed the new family additions, brother Melvin and sisters Aileen and Gloria and shared many adventures with them. Harold was sad to leave the farm when his parents decided to go into the grocery business. His mother tongue was German. His father learned to read English from the beginning readers he brought home. He made many lifelong friends with fellow students at Clyde school. He learned to talk... talk... talk in English very well indeed. Harold loved to drive. He had a few mishaps, though (none too serious). Shortly after learning to drive, he almost lost sister Gloria. This was long, long before the days of seatbelts. She flew out of the door of the old pickup as he turned the corner. No permanent harm was done and everybody was more careful after that. He put on hundreds of thousands of miles as a travelling salesman. He was very sad to give up his driving license a couple of years ago. Harold went to German Saturday school at the church and was confirmed in the Stornoway congregation. He married Madge (Magdalena Ruf) on July 13, 1947 in that congregation as well. They had two children, David and later Janice. Harold pursued a career as a businessman in sales and management. Madge enjoyed her teaching career. After leaving Stornoway in 1953, they lived at Eden school and the village of Ebenezer before finally settling in Yorkton. Harold died after a lengthy illness on February 17, 2012 in the Weber House of the Yorkton & District Nursing Home. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Gloria. He is survived by brother, Melvin (Liz), sister, Aileen (Wilf), wife, Magdelena, daughter, Janice, son, David (Ruth), grandchildren, Matthew (Mirela), Nathan (Leanne), Hannah (Jose') and 5 great grandchildren. Harold's family is very grateful for the kindnesses and encouragement of the staff at Weber house and for the kind ministration of the pastor and members of Zion Lutheran congregation. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 from Zion Lutheran Church in Yorkton, SK with Pastor Daniel Moeller officiating. The organist, Verna Liebrecht led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Come, Thou Font of Every Blessing", "Come to Calvary's Holy Mountain" and "I Know That My Redeemer Lives". The interment followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Dennis Hilderman, Robert Hilderman, Matthew Hilderman, Nathan Hilderman, David Hilderman and Henrik Cherland serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
