Gerda Charlotte Hildebrandt, was born in Meldinen, East Prussia, the eastern most part of historic Germany, on March 9, 1938 to Hermann and Meta Kraemer. Her family endured many years of hardship as refugees who first fled from Russian forces at the end of World War II and later escaped from communism to enter West Germany in 1950. Her life remained difficult as the family immigrated to Alberta Canada in 1955 where they served as farm workers. They ultimately moved to Vancouver British Columbia where she met the love of her life Hans Hildebrandt. Gerda moved one final time with her parents to San Francisco. Gerda and Hans were married March 4, 1961. They moved to Merced, California where they raised three children Carmen, Hans, and Kurt. Gerda was a loving wife and mother who enjoyed and excelled as the matriarch of the family. She was happiest when she could entertain family. She had a love of cooking and baking, gardening, and caring for her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Hans Hildebrandt, their daughter Carmen Chow and Carmen’s sons Curtis, and Jonathan Chow and his wife Morgan; Hans and his wife Lisa Hildebrandt and their children Hans, Eric and his wife Mariah, and Andrew Hildebrandt; and Kurt and his wife Lynn Hildebrandt and their children Kiani and Kurt. She is preceded in death by her brothers Hans and Helmut Kraemer; and Carmen's husband Steven Chow. She is also survived by her last remaining sibling, Henry Kraemer and his wife Patricia. "Ruhe in Frieden, Rest In Peace."
A visitation for Gerda will be held Saturday, April 30, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Lisle Funeral Home located at 1605 L Street, Fresno, CA 93721. Visitation will occur Monday, May 2, 2022 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at Emmanuel Lutheran Church located at 785 N. Fowler Ave., Clovis, CA 93611. Committal service to follow at Belmont Memorial Park located at 201 N. Teilman Ave., Fresno, CA 93706.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.lislefuneralhome.com for the Hildebrandt family.
