Merlin Hildebrandt

Merlin L. "Mert" Hildebrandt, age 78 of Waseca, died on Friday, July 11, 2008 at his home.             Memorial services will be held on Sunday, July 13, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waseca with Rev. Terry Quick officiating.             The Hildebrandt Family will greet friends on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Waseca. McRaith Funeral Home of Waseca is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Rochester, ISJ Hospice, or donor's choice.              Merlin Leo was born July 11, 1930 in Waseca, Minnesota to Robert and Ethel (Anthony) Hildebrandt. He graduated from Waseca High School in 1948. One August 25, 1951 he was united in marriage to Anita Ewert at Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville. After a lifetime of farming, Mert and Anita retired to Waseca in 1999. Mert was a longtime member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church where he had taught Sunday school. Believing in service to his community Mert was active in the Jaycees, Rotary, Waseca County Fair Board, Waseca County Extension Board, charter member of Farm and Home Management, Waseca Area Chamber of Commerce Agri-Business member, National Hampshire Association, and the St. Mary's Town Board.               He is survived by his wife Anita, and his 4 children, Jeanne Hildebrandt (Marshall Kath) of Prior Lake, MN, Gerry Hildebrandt (Dawn Felber) of Lake Forest, IL, Lori Bondhus (Larry) of Grand Rapids, MN, and Scott Hildebrandt (Peggy Connors) of Waseca; by his grandchildren, Andrea, Elliot, Hannah, Paige and Emily Hildebrandt; by his sisters, Mae Kopischke of Albert Lea, MN, Dorothy Klinger of Edina, MN, Evelyn Jacobson (Sylvan) of New Richland, MN, Helen Clemas (Jerry) of Sommerset, WI, and his brother Bob Hildebrandt (Marietta) of Butterfield, MN; by his sister-in-law Donna Hildebrandt of Waseca; by many nieces and nephews and other relatives.             He was preceded in death by his parents; by his son Mark Hildebrandt, and brother LeRoy "Bud" Hildebrandt.