HIldebarnd, Gordon K. Sr.

Gordon K. Hildebrand Sr., of Marion, passed away at age 81 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, following a short illness. Services at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Marion. Burial with military rites at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Gordon was born on Dec. 15, 1930, in Marble Rock, Iowa, the son of Henry and Lillie (Fisher) Hildebrand. He was raised on a farm near Marble Rock and graduated in 1949. Gordon was a paratrooper in the Korean conflict from January 1952 through January 1954. On July 24, 1955, Gordon was united in marriage with Zona Ann Matteson of Webster City at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Gordon barbered for 17 years at Smitty's in Marion and worked at Amana Refrigeration, until he retired in 1992. They wintered in Apache Junction, Ariz., for the last 19 years. Gordon was a charter member of Lutheran Church of the Resurrection. Gordon was an active member of the American Legion, Post 298 and the VFW.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Zona (Matteson) Hildebrand of Marion; children, Gordon “Chip” Jr. (Cathi) Hildebrand of Webster City and Brenda Hildebrand of Marion; grandchildren, Shasta (Rick) Hillmer of Adel and Austin (Kay Lynn) Hildebrand of Jewell; great grandchildren, Annika and Levi Hillmer of Adel; and brothers, Dale (Verna) Hildebrand of Mason City, Mark (Shirley) Hildebrand of Muskego, Wis., and Dwight Hildebrand of Bellview, Neb.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Lillian Barth and Clella Van Riper; and three brothers, Gerald, Silvan and Frederick Hildebrand.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous or the American Legion Post 298.

Please leave a message or tribute to Gordon's family on our web page, under Obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 14, 2012.