Rudolph "Rudy" Hildman

Rudolph “Rudy” Hildman, 102, of Britt passed away Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at Hancock County Memorial Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 139 3rd Street Southeast in Britt with Fr. Jim Dubert officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery outside of Britt, Iowa.

A Scriptural Wake Service will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, November 12, 2017, followed by a Rosary. Visitation will be begin immediately following the Rosary and will continue until 4:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt, Iowa.

Rudolph Boniface Hildman was born on June 5, 1915 to John and Ottilie (Richter) Hildman on the family farm in rural Wesley. When Rudy was one, his father passed away. Rudy attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Wesley, Iowa until the eighth grade with the class of 1931. Rudy worked for 50 cents a day when he was young.  When his mother passed away, he bought the family farm and harvested his first crop in 1954, and continued farming for many years. Rudolph was united in marriage to Bernadine Hilbert on February 21, 1950. They were married 61 years and raised three boys on the farm until they moved to town in 1969. Rudy was able to stay at his own home until October 25, 2017 when he entered the hospital. Rudy was very active, riding his exercise bike until the last few months; there is no telling how many miles he put on that bike.  He loved to fish, go on short rides and watch The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. In 1969 Rudy sold his Allis Chalmers CA and WD at his farm sale.  In 2016, his son Luke purchased the same model of tractor Rudy had sold.  This brought back many memories that Rudy cherished.  Another memory Rudy cherished was a surprise birthday ice cream in the mail from his nephew, Gene Hildman from Texas. Rudy was the oldest member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Rudolph is survived by his three sons: Luke Hildman, Tom Hildman (special friend Starla Vega), and Michael “Mike” Hildman; grandchildren Michelle Hildman (and special friend Raymie Luse), Todd (Erika) Hildman; great-grandchildren Logan Brown, Kasey Brown, Cole Hildman, and Autumn Poncin; great-great grandchild Blake Eugene Lee Brown; Tom’s step-children Lonnie Friesenborg, Laura Kudej, and Rhonda Newby and Tom’s step grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. Rudolph is preceded in death by his wife Bernadine (August, 7 2011) and his brothers John (Florence) Hildman and Alf (Lenora) Hildman and daughter-in-law Valjean Hildman.