ESTHER LOUISE (HILDEBRAND) FISCHER

Esther Louise (Hildebrand) Fischer gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. March 25, 1923 in Dixon, Lee County, IL
D. May 15, 2002 in Arlington Heights, Cook County, IL
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  • Father: Christian “Chris” Hildebrand born 1878; Christian died 1960; buried in Reformed Mennonite Churchyard Cemetery, Sterling, Whiteside County, IL
  • Mother: Hattie Bell (Johnson) Hildebrand born 1898; Hattie died 1984; buried in Reformed Mennonite Churchyard Cemetery, Sterling, Whiteside County, IL
  • Husband: Clarence John Fischer born September 3, 1912 in Rock Falls, Whiteside County, IL; married Esther Louise Hildebrand on October 31, 1943 in Sterling, Whiteside County IL; Clarence died September 12, 1990 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL (See section pertaining to Clarence John Fischer buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
  • Children:
    1. Gregory E. Fischer born December 10, 1948; Gregory died August 5, 1964 in McHenry County, IL (See section pertaining to Gregory E. Fischer buried in the Fort Hill Cemetery)
    2. Denise (Fischer) Simon; married Thomas Simon
    3. Clarence J. Fischer, Jr; married (1) Esther; married (2) Hope
  • Siblings:
    • Robert Jay Hildebrand born June 10, 1925 in Sterling, Whiteside County, IL; Army Air Force veteran, WW II; married Vera L. (1928-1998); Robert died March 22, 2007; buried in Mount Olive Cemetery, McKenzie, Carroll County, TN
    • Helen R. (Hildebrand) Hartman born April 10, 1927 Illinois; Helen died December 17, 2012
    • John Christian Hildebrand born June 28, 1929 in Lyndon, Whiteside County, IL; Army veteran, Korean War; married Arlene C. Witt on June 7, 1953; John died December 25, 2018; buried in Oak Knoll Memorial Park Cemetery, Sterling, Whiteside County, IL

According to the Sauk Valley (Sterling, IL) December 27, 2018:

“John Christian Hildebrand entered God’s loving arms on Christmas day, 2018 at the age of 89 years, 5 months, 3 weeks and 6 days.  He was born June 28, 1929 in Lydon Illinois, son of Chris and Hattie (Johnson) Hildebrand.  In December 1948 he entered the army and served as a staff sergeant during the Korean war.  John met Arlene C Witt in her hometown of Minocqua Wisconsin.  It was love at first sight followed by a June 7, 1953 wedding and this year they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.  Their union was blessed with three children, Susan, John Jr, and Paul.  John was employed at Northwestern Steel and Wire as a truck driver for 29 years and concurrently, Hildebrand Construction was born of his entrepreneurial spirit.  He will always be remembered by family and friends for his generosity, giving spirit and sense of humor.  He was always a willing volunteer and led the effort for the construction of Christ Lutheran School in Sterling, Illinois.  He also volunteered for the Lutheran Laymen’s League in assessing and remodeling buildings for schools in Latvia, Slovakia and Germany.  John was known by his co-workers for his optimistic attitude.  As a testament to his leadership and vison (sic), everyone wanted to work with him.  A wanderer at heart, he took his family to all 50 states and traveled to six continents with Arlene.  He is survived by his wife Arlene; children, Susan (Mark) Gould, John Jr., Paul (Lisa) Hildebrand; grandchildren, Natalie, Jacob, Hans, Hannah; great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Susan, Holly, Alexander, Nicholas, Joshua, Oliver, Sloan and Emily; sister Virginia and sisters and brothers-in-law, Lillian and Jay Burns and Ruth and Dick Jensen.  He was preceded in death by his brother Robert and sisters Ester and Helen.  Visitation will be held at McDonald Funeral Home in Rock Falls, Friday December 29th from 2 to 6 pm.  Visitation at Peach Ev. Lutheran Church in Loves Park, IL will be on Dec 29th from 9:00 am to 10:30 am.  The funeral service will follow at 10:30 am.  Christian burial will be at Oak Knoll Memorial Park in Sterling at 2:15 pm.  Memorials may be sent to Peach Ev Lutheran Church, 502 Orth Rd. Loves Park, IL 61111 or Christ Lutheran School in Sterling IL, 2000 18th Ave Sterling 61081.”

    • Virginia (Hildebrand) Hendricks born about 1935 in Illinois; married Alvin Hendricks

Additional Information:

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for the Village of Lyndon, Lyndon Township, Whiteside County, IL the household members were:

“Chris Hildebrand, head, age 51, first married at age 23, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, immigrated in 1892, occupation: farmer – general farming; Patty (sic Hattie) Hildebrand, wife, age 32, first married at age 23, born in Illinois, father born in Missouri, mother born in Illinois; Ester Hildebrand, daughter, age 7, single, born in Illinois; Robert Hildebrand, son, age 4 9/12, single, born in Illinois; Helen Hildebrand, daughter, age 2 11/12, single, born in Illinois; John C. Hildebrand, son, age 9/12, single, born in Illinois”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Lyndon Village, Lydon Township, Whiteside County, IL the household members were:

“Chris Hildebrand, head, age 56, married, highest grade completed: 8, born in Germany, lived in same house in 1935, occupation: manager – farm; Hattie Hildebrand, age 42, highest grade completed: 8, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935; Ester Hildebrand, daughter, age 17, single, highest grade completed: H-2, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935: Robert Hildebrand, son, age 14, single, highest grade completed: H-1, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935; Helen Hildebrand, daughter, age 13, single, highest grade completed: 6, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935; John Hildebrand, son, age 10, single, highest grade completed: 4, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935; Virginia Hildebrand, daughter, age 5, single, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Bureau Township, Bureau County, IL, the household members were:

“Clarence J Fischer, head, age 27, married, born in Illinois, Occupation: Farmer – Farm; Esther L Fischer, wife, age 26, married, born in Illinois; Clarence J. Fischer, son, age 5, never married, born in Illinois; Denise Fischer, daughter, age 3, never married, born in Illinois, Was he living in this same house a year ago?: No; Was he living on a farm a year ago?: No, Was he living in this same county a year ago?: Yes, What country were his father and mother born in?: US; Gregory E Fischer, son, age 3, never married, born in Illinois”

According to the Daily Herald (Arlington Heights IL) Monday, May 20, 2002:

“Esther L. Fischer of Grayslake – Memorial services for Esther L. Fischer, 79, will be held at 11:30 a.m. today, at the Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church, 285 E. Washington St., Grayslake, with Pastor John Holm officiating.  Born March 25, 1923, in Lyndon, Ill., the daughter of Christian Hildebrand and Hattie Bell Johnson, she passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2002, at Northwest Community Healthcare, Arlington Heights.  Inurnment will be privately held at Fort Hill Cemetery, Round Lake.  Mrs. Fischer was a longtime employee of the Great Lakes Naval Base and an active member of Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Grayslake.  Esther leaves her daughter, Denis (Thoms) Simon of Johnsburg; son, Clarence J. Jr. (Hope) Fischer of League City, Texas; grandchildren, Michelle, Aimee, Peter, Rhonda, Ruth and David; brothers, John (Arlene) Hildebrand of Rock Falls, Ill. and Robert (the late Vera) Hildebrand; sisters, Virginia (the late Alvin) Hendricks of McKenzie, Tenn. And Helen Hartman of Round Lake; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence J. Fischer Sr., whom she married Oct. 31, 1943; and her parents.  Arrangements were made by Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Grayslake.  Friends may visit www.dailyherald.com/obits to express condolences and sign the guest book.  For more funeral information, (847) 223-8122.”