Berta Lou Hildebrand

Berta Lou Hildebrand After a 9 year battle with Alzheimer's, Berta Lou Hildebrand went home to be with her Father and Son Saturday evening, March 29, 2014. Berta was born in Springfield, MO, April 24, 1943 to Bert and Esther Hildebrand. She graduated from Central High School in 1961. Being a Cheerleader for the Bulldogs was her pride and joy and she proudly served on the reunion committee for several years. Berta worked for Frisco and Burlington Northern Railroad for 14 years. She then became an entrepreneur and was never afraid to try something new. You may remember Wiggle Worm Farm or Stripe It Striping Company. After working at a few printing companies Berta went back and finished her degree at Southwest Missouri State University and opened The Copy Place in Ozark, MO. Friends were very important to Berta, and she enjoyed lifelong friendships with many. A group letter shared between 5 girlfriends from college has now been circulated and celebrated for over 50 years. Also blessed with friends from church, she found herself a part of a gang, aka "The Silver Sisters". A group of ladies who played softball together, had dinners together and were there for each other in good times and bad. Rumors of toilet papering and other shenanigans were commonplace. These friendships along with her best friends Jan West, Kaerita Gist and Susie Schimph were absolutely cherished by Berta. Those same friendships are also cherished by her daughters as they set a good example and show the importance of a network of friends to hold you up in times like these. Berta was a single mother and raised four children; Jann, Jill, Jeff and Angie. She did the very best she could and when you called upon her, she was there. She taught us that Jesus loves us. When we were little she taught us to sing songs like "You are my Sunshine" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" These songs became the very way we communicated with her in later years. A bond that wasn't broken by illness or time. We love you Mom..."a bushel and a peck" Berta was preceded in death by her father, Bert Hildebrand and son, Jeff Baker. There are no better escorts to enter the kingdom of heaven. Berta is survived by her three daughters: Jann Baker of Springfield, Jill Pfeifer of Springfield and Angela Johnson of Billings. Her mother, Esther Hildebrand of Springfield. Two brothers: Russell and his wife Julie Hildebrand of Los Angeles and Carlos Joe and his wife Pamela Hildebrand of Fair Grove. Seven Grandchildren: Sara and Garrett Pfeifer, Alaina Baker, Devon, Logan, Brayden and Hailey Johnson. And a host of nieces, nephews and cousins that she loved very much. Berta will be missed every day. We celebrate and are happy that she is free and living in paradise. Services were held in the Montgomery-Viets Chapel, Funeral was: Thursday 2:00 p.m. Graveside followed at Benton Branch under the direction of the Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home of Buffalo

Berta Lou Hildebrand

April 24, 1943 - March 29, 2014