Hildebrandt, Gertrude Eleanor Balzer (1893-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Apr 10 p. 8

Birth date: 1893 Mar 3

text of obituary:

MRS. JOHN E. HILDEBRANDT

Our loving wife and mother, Gertrude Eleanor (Balzer) Hildebrandt, twin daughter of Jacob and Gertrude Penner Balzer, was born on March 3, 1893, on a farm near Inman, Kansas.

She received her elementary education at the Lake Valley School. She was always willing to help with the work in the home. She accepted Christ as her Saviour and was baptized upon confession of her faith in Christ on June 10, 1912, and became a member of the Hebron Mennonite Church near Buhler, Kansas. Later she joined the Mennonite Brethren Church.

On July 12, 1914, she was united in marriage to John E. Hildebrandt. This union, which lasted over 43 years, was blessed with three children, one daughter and two sons.

Her life was busy and full of many duties since we moved quite often while I taught in Bible Schools. She was a faithful helper in my school work and during my ministry.

After leaving the farm near Inman in 1948 we moved to Hillsboro, Kansas where she enjoyed taking an active part in the sewing circle, Sunday school, and house visitation.

In September 1953 we moved to Wichita, Kansas and united in fellowship with the First Mennonite Brethren Church, where she remained a faithful and devoted member until her passing.

In Wichita she obtained employment at the St. Francis Hospital as an elevator operator. Her smile and cheery disposition helped to cheer those with whom she came in contact. She shared the joys and sorrows of many with whom she spoke daily. During our evenings after a busy day at work she spent much time reading aloud from the Bible and our church periodicals. This was a time of blessed fellowship for us.

On March 18 we said good-bye and both went to our respective places of employment. While at work in the hospital, at about 10:00 a. m., she collapsed and was rushed to the emergency room in the hospital. However, she never regained consciousness, her death being attributed to a massive brain hemorrhage, and thus she went to be with her Lord whom she loved so dearly. She reached the age of 65 years and 15 days.

Preceding her in death were her parents, a sister Mrs. Sarah Neufeldt [sic Neufeld], and her daughter, Helen Gertrude, who passed away in infancy.

Mourning her sudden departure are her loving husband, John E. Hildebrandt; two sons, John W. and wife Elfrieda of Fresno, Calif., with two grandchildren, Lynette Joy and Johnny Cordell; Herbert G. and wife Mary Alice of Wichita, Kansas with a grandson, Gene Ray; and two brothers, Dave F. Balzer and Jake P. Balzer of Inman, Kansas, besides many other relatives and friends. — The Bereaved Family.