Hilder McDonald

Hilder Mae McDonald, Bismarck, left this earthly life for her heavenly home the morning of January 28, 2010, at the age of 91 years, 1 month and eight days. Services will be held at 11:30 am Monday at the Baptist Home, Bismarck, with Pastor Michael Hance officiating. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm Sunday at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the Baptist Home. Hilder Mae was born on December 20, 1918, on the family farm north of Thunder Hawk, SD, to Carl J. and Augusta Peterson. She attended country school and because of the years of depression was not privileged to attend high school. At a later time she had the opportunity for some Bible training in Lemmon, SD, which was very valuable to her in future years. From early childhood she loved to be in the kitchen with her mother and through the years her home was known for its hospitality. In early life she was a cook at the F. W. Woolworth store in Bismarck, ND. Following that she was a clerk for the J.C. Penney Co., in Lemmon, SD, and also traveled some as a co-worker with Evangelist June Becker. Later in life, she was a caregiver for her husband and other family members. She was married to Francis McDonald on January 16, 1946, in Lemmon, SD. They made their home in Knoxville, IA, for 55 years. Hilder was active in her church in the music field of playing the piano and singing also taught in youth camps, Sunday School, and Daily Vacation Bible School. She served as the church clerk for many years. Francis and Hilder did not have any children of their own but many children in the community were recipients of their love and care. Hilder had an unusual personality and was able to communicate with people of all ages. In May 2001, they moved to Bismarck, ND. In 2003, Hilder had the misfortune of breaking her hip so she was cared for by her two sisters. Her husband, who was in a care center, passed away April 2006, and in May 2009, it became necessary to place Hilder in a care center. In early childhood, she had accepted Christ as her Saviour and lived a life of devotion to her Lord, her family and her church. We have shared many precious times together and she will be greatly missed by her two sisters, Esther and Dorothea Peterson of Bismarck, ND, and two sisters-in-law, Lillian Peterson Alvin of Arcadia, CA, and Phyliss Peterson Samuel of Cleveland, TN, and many other family members and friends. Hilder was preceded in death by her husband, Francis McDonald; her parents; five brothers, Harold, Martin, Leonard, Alvin, and Samuel; and five sisters, Clara Peterson, Grace Bishop, Helga Peterson, Edith Wolff, and Mildred Klitzke. “Death for the Christian is but waking from earth’s night of sorrow to Heaven’s Day of eternal bliss.”

Hilder McDonald

December 20, 1918 - January 28, 2010