Wesley 'Neil' Hildebrandt

Wesley “Neil” Hildebrandt was born on Aug. 1, 1954 in New Westminster, B.C. to Sieghard & Shirley Hildebrandt.

They lived in the lower mainland area until Neil was 5 years old. Being a “PK” (preacher’s kid), the family moved a lot.

In 1959, they moved to Brooks, AB. where Neil started school, taking grades 1 through 7.

As a young boy, Neil learned to skate, & soon became passionate about hockey. He spent many hours in the winter, playing hockey with his older brother Len & the neighborhood boys on their backyard rink.

In 1967, the Hildebrandt family moved to Davidson, SK. where he took grades 8 through 10. They also had a backyard rink there & he continued to play hockey.

Neil also had a love for music. The first instrument he started playing was the clarinet, but soon switched to guitar, drums, bass guitar & piano. Neil played & sang with various groups over the years including The New Inspiration & The Children of Light. He always loved a good jam session with friends & in more recent years played & jammed with his grandson Jairus, whom he was so proud of.

In the summer of 1970, the Hildebrandt family moved to Nipawin, SK. Neil attended L.P. Miller school for grade 11 & 12, also playing Quarterback for the L.P. Miller Bears. After graduating high school in 1972, his part time job at O.K. Economy grocery store turned into a full time position.

Neil played center position for organized hockey in the 1970s & 80s. He met hi s future wife, Barbara White when he played on the same line as Barb’s Dad.

Neil & Barb were married on Sept. 7, 1974. Their first home was in Stettler, AB. where Neil managed the O.K. Economy store. While living in Stettler, Neil took a carpentry/woodworking course & it wasn’t long before the love of wood & the carpentry genes came to the forefront.

Neil & Barb moved back to Saskatchewan in 1977, establishing an acreage at Armley where Neil built a workshop for his new business: Neil’s Cabinets & General Carpentry. In 1991, he designed & built their own dream home.

Over the years, Neil became a “jack-of-all-trades” & “mastered” most. He framed, shingled, drywalled, finished, built cabinets, painted & did renos, always figuring out a way to design & do whatever the customer wanted.

Neil & Barb welcomed a son, Mitchell in 1981 & a daughter, Mandy in 1988. They were both the apple of his eye & he was so proud of them. When “daughter-in-love” Genevieve & “son-in-love” Daniel joined the family, Neil welcomed them with delight & adopted them as his own. He took further pleasure as each grandchild joined his clan.

In 2002, Neil started commuting weekly to work in Saskatoon. He was soon recognized by many contractors & builders in the industry as an experienced & seasoned veteran who took pride in meticulous workmanship.

Neil & Barb sold the Armley acreage in 2007 & made Saskatoon their permanent home.

As a young boy, Neil had placed his trust in Jesus as his Savior, accepting God’s free gift of salvation & throughout his life he served faithfully in his home church in various departments such as Sunday School teacher/superintendent, board member & worship leader.

Neil lost a short battle with cancer on June 24^th, 2022.

He will be sadly missed but we rejoice that he is now pain free, in heaven with his Savior.

Neil was predeceased by his grandparents, his father Sieghard Hildebrandt in 2010, his father-in-law Norman White in 2020 & his sister-in-law Irene White in 2021.

Surviving & left to treasure his memory are his loving family:

Wife: Barbara Hildebrandt

Son: Mitchell & Genevieve Hildebrandt

Daughter: Mandy & Daniel Thiessen

Grandchildren: Jairus, Zariah, Mabon, Damari & Theo Hildebrandt

Mother: Shirley Hildebrandt

Brother: Leonard & Gladys Hildebrandt & family

Mother-in-Law: Ruby White

Brother-in-Law: Lorrie White

Nephew: Andrew & Shancelle Hildebrandt & family

Niece: Kimberly & Les Adrian & family

Nephew: Kent & Tanya White & family

As well as aunts, uncles, many cousins & friends.