Lorraine Evelyn Hildebrand

Lorraine was born in Wetaskiwin April 6, 1930 to Audrey (Krueger) and James Johns. She spent her first 8 years with her grandparents Noah and Annie Krueger on their farm in the Angus Ridge district. She then lived with her parents on their farm in the New Norway district until moving to Wetaskiwin in 1946.

Lorraine was an accomplished horseback rider and rode in parades and at fairs in Wetaskiwin. After completing high school she worked at Montgomery’s Dept Store and in 1952 she married Wallace Hildebrand. In 1956 they moved to Mulhurst and then Silver Beach at Pigeon Lake where they raised their family. In 1976 they returned to Wetaskiwin and from there made their final move, to Westbank, BC, in 1979.

Lorraine was a people person, in her element surrounded by family and friends. She loved to entertain and share her lovely home and delicious cooking with everyone. As daughter-in-law Doreen so aptly put it, upon meeting new people, within 5 minutes Lorraine would know where they were from, what they did for a living, who their children were, and what their future plans were. Lorraine was a tireless volunteer her entire adult life and no job was too big a challenge. Her gregarious and generous nature served her well in her very successful mid-life career in real estate. Lorraine and Wally enjoyed a long and happy retirement in their home on the bank of Lake Okanagan and traveled widely. Lorraine’s beautiful smile lit up every room she entered and that smile was still present at the end of her journey.

Lorraine will be deeply missed by her children Judy and Ron Wiebe of Kamloops, Noreen and Don Odell of Red Deer, Karen Hildebrand and Dieter Sander of Kelowna and Dale Hildebrand and Doreen Saunderson of Canmore/Calgary; grandchildren Kristy Davies and Marcus Eriksson of Vancouver, Jason Davies and Sarah Rosenthal of North Vancouver, Sandy Davies and Paul Henderson of Campbell River, Andrea and Steve Swainson of Sylvan Lake and Erin Odell and Matt Morris of Red Deer; great grandchildren Anne, Spencer, Billy and Logan Swainson, Mio and Emi Eriksson, and Norah Morris; sister Rosella Clark and many extended family members and a multitude of friends. Lorraine was predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, Wally, in 2015, their son Rodney, great grandson Stephen Jr. and sister Clarabelle.

At Lorraine’s request there will be no service. Her remains will be interred with her husband and son in Wetaskiwin. On behalf of Lorraine, her family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to her compassionate caregivers at Harmony Homes in Kelowna, and at Revera Inglewood and Timberstone Mews, in Red Deer, where she spent her final one and a half years. If so desired, donations to the Lending Cupboard Red Deer would be appreciated.