Harmon Herman “H.H.” Hildebrandt, 90, was born on December 18, 1918, at Waverly, Iowa, the son of John Carl and Ella (Kohagen) Hildebrandt, and the youngest son of three brothers and two sisters. He died Tuesday, September 8, 2009, at his home in Sumner from natural causes.
He attended St. John Missouri Synod Lutheran School and Church, Waverly, where he was confirmed into membership at the age of 13 and graduated from the eighth grade.
Harmon and Leona Doepke married on February 26, 1939. He was a member of Faith United Church of Christ, Tripoli, and served on the church board and as a Trustee on the Cemetery Board for 15 years. They were the parents of three daughters, Janet, Joann, Audrey, and their youngest, a son, William, “Bill.” Leona died on May 15, 1978.
Harmon was a life-time farmer and purchased his Uncle Carl Hildebrandt’s farm, rural Sumner, where they lived for 20 years. He was actively involved in Bremer County Farm Bureau.
In 1965 they moved to a farm in rural Waverly and Harmon drove a bulk gas truck for FS; then was foreman of an FS grain bin building crew for twelve years. He began showing Percheron draft horses and drove teams of two to six horses, advertising for businesses at parades in Iowa and Minnesota. He showed horses at fairs in Iowa and Illinois and National Cattle Congress and later judged horse shows in Illinois and Wisconsin.
On June 14, 1980 he married Velma Hildebrandt (his brother Rupert’s widow). His adult niece and nephews became his daughter and sons. He helped with farming and remodeling projects for all his family. Harmon sold the Waverly farm to his son, Bill and Deb, and moved into Sumner, Iowa. They spent many enjoyable hours camping and playing cards. Harmon took up fishing and grilling. He joined St John’s Lutheran Church, Sumner.
In addition to his wife, Velma of Sumner, he is survived by five daughters, Rev. Janet Schnepf of Marshall, Missouri, Rev. Joann (Dave) Williams of Winfield, Iowa, Rev. Audrey (Rev. Mark) Young of Newton, Nancy Kreb of Waterloo, and Deb (Bill) Coonradt of Waverly; three sons, Marvin (Connie) Hildebrandt, Mervin (Jane) Hildebrandt, and Duane (Darla) Hildebrandt, all of Sumner; grandchildren and great grandchildren, family and friends because H.H. Hildebrandt never knew a stranger.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Leona; one son, Bill; and sons-in-law, Gary Westendorf, Herb Kreb, and Bob Hary.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 12, 2009, at St. John Lutheran Church in Sumner with Rev. William Runaas, Jr. and Intern Jealaine Marple officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, September11, 2009, at Becker-Milnes Funeral Home in Sumner and for one preceding services at the church on Saturday. Interment will be at Faith United Church of Christ Cemetery in Tripoli.
