STAFFORD — Norman Keith Hildebrand was born in Stafford, Kan., to Herman and Lucile DeWerff Hildebrand, June 2, 1939, and left this world on his 85th birthday, June 2, 2024. He is celebrating his birthday with his Savior in heaven, almost certainly with home made ice cream!
He was the middle son of three boys. His older brother Arnold said they didn’t grow up with much in the way of material goods but they never missed a meal. Arnold remembers corn cob fights with Norman and his 15 month younger brother, Gordon. Norman was a Stafford County resident the majority of his life. He attended Kansas State University where he received a degree in Agricultural Education. He was a house boy at the Boyd women’s dormitory and was a member of the K-State Dairy Judging Team and the national championship Crops Judging Team. While at K-State, he had a “half-blind” date with Mary Strahm. He called it “half-blind” because he had seen her and arranged it through a mutual friend, but she had no idea who he was. They attended Baptist Student Union and were soon a couple. They married Aug. 5, 1961, and would have celebrated their 63rd anniversary in two months. He began his 10 year Vo-Ag teaching career first in Ensign, Kan., for two years and then spent eight years teaching at Pratt High School and Pratt Community College. Norman and Mary lived for two years in Pratt before taking a big step towards his long-term goal of farming by buying a half section of farm ground on the Stafford/Pratt county line in 1965. He continued teaching in Pratt while farming until he was busy enough to resign from teaching and he could farm full time. He liked teaching but he loved his family, the farm, and his animals even more.
His strong faith in God was an integral part of his life, and he was a faithful Christian and godly influence to his friends and family throughout his whole life. Norman was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church where he served on multiple committees, was a Sunday School teacher, Deacon, and a high school youth group sponsor. He loved gospel music, especially songs with a faster beat and those sung by a men’s quartet.
Norman and Mary were recognized as Kansas Master Farmers. He was a longtime board member of Union Township, Farm Bureau, Stafford USD 349, as well as a former member of the American Ag Credit Board of Directors.
Norman and Mary were blessed with three living children, Randall (Molly) of Great Bend, parents of Matt (Abby), Greg (Kristen), and Hannah; Janell (Bruce Heyen) of Bourbonnais, Ill., parents of Ben (Lauren), Emma, Elise, Claire, and MaryElena; Jason (Carrie) of Stafford, parents of Caleb (Karah), Ethan, Jayce, Tai, and Joshua; and three great grandchildren. Norman is preceded in death by his parents; stillborn son Blaine Edward; and his brother, Gordon.
Viewing is scheduled on Friday, June 7, at Minnis Chapel, Stafford, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. with family present from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral will be at Calvary Baptist Church, three miles north of Stafford, at 1 p.m., June 8, with graveside service at Stafford Cemetery to follow. Memorials may be sent to the Calvary Baptist Church or Parkinson’s Foundation in care of the funeral home.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Minnis Chapel
125 N. Main St.
Stafford, KS 67578
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 6, 2024
