Elmer Harold Hildebrandt

Elmer Harold ("Bud") Hildebrandt, age 96, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on Holy Saturday, April 16, 2022, peacefully in his sleep after a day filled with activities and family fun. Bud will be welcomed Home by his beloved wife of 58 years, Mary (who predeceased him in 2008), his parents, many brothers and sisters from Wisconsin, beloved daughter-in-law Kathy Hildebrandt, and beloved grandson Spencer Peters.

Bud is survived by eight children and their spouses: Pat & JP Soden of Sebastopol, CA; Jean & Manny Lucero; Dr. Rick Hildebrandt & Dr. Teri Longacre of Menlo Park, CA; Russell and JoAn Hildebrandt of Friendswood, TX; Fred Hildebrandt of Belen, NM; Susan & Robert Biernacki; Sandra & Doug Peters; and Joe Hildebrandt & Monica Spurlock. Bud is also survived by 14 beloved grandchildren: Alexis & spouse Tommy, Max, Emma, Nicole & spouse Jake, Jesse & spouse Leia, Daniella, Steffani & spouse Kenny, Aubrey & spouse Chris, Bryan & fiancé Carla, Becca & spouse Matt, Katie & spouse Jay, Beau, Sam and significant other Nicole, Libby & significant other Zack; and 7 beloved great-grandchildren. Bud is also survived by other close relatives and special friends.

Bud was born on July 26, 1925, in a small farmhouse in Glidden, WI and was one of 17 children. He proudly served his country in the US Coast Guard (1944-1945) and US Army (1946-1953). In the service, Bud was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. Bud and Mary met in El Paso, TX where Bud was stationed at Ft. Bliss. They were married in 1950 and moved to France where Bud served with the 7964 Headquarters Detachment Group. He was honorably discharged from the Army as an E-6 Technical Sergeant. Bud, Mary and two daughters moved back to El Paso where Bud received his Accounting degree in 1957 from Texas Western College (n/k/a UTEP). Upon graduation, he was hired by the Atomic Energy Commission (now the Department of Energy) and over the years relocated to Albuquerque, Kansas City, and Washington, DC, finally returning to Albuquerque in 1970.

Bud retired in 1994 and pursued many interests, including bowling, card games and restoring several classic Mustangs. He was a great storyteller and would regale his grandkids with many humorous tales. Bud was a sports enthusiast and followed the KC Chiefs, San Antonio Spurs, Oakland A's, and his grandkids' sports teams at the Albuquerque Academy. He loved spending time in his cabin in Northern NM, traveling abroad with Mary, and traveling to visit family. Bud always had a project underway and relished Wednesday "lunch bunch" with his kids and any visiting grandkids. Bud and Mary were long standing parishioners at the Shrine of St. Bernadette where he was a former member of the Parish Finance Council and facilitated "Scripture from Scratch" and the Adult Faith Formation Program. Over the last few years, Bud often expressed how grateful he was to live independently and remain in his family home.

A prayer service will be held on Saturday, May 28, 2022, beginning at 10:00am at FRENCH-Wyoming. Interment with military honors will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 7999 Wyoming Blvd, NE. A reception at FRENCH-Wyoming will follow the Interment. Friends are welcome to visit beginning at 9:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in Bud's name to Special Olympics New Mexico, 6600 Palomas Ave NE, #207, Albuquerque, NM 87109 (check payable to "Special Olympics NM"), or credit card donations via phone #505-856-0342.

Go now in peace, Dad, to love and serve the Lord, and rejoice in being reunited with the love of your life, your bride, Mary ("Sugar").