Obituary: Michael Hillebrand

Michael Hillebrand

New Rockford, N.D.

Michael "Mike" Hillebrand, 77, of New Rockford, N.D .passed away on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at the Luther Memorial Home, Mayville, N.D.

Visitation was Thursday, March 16 from 5-7 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford. A funeral service was held Friday, March 17 at 10 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, New Rockford. Burial will take place at Silent Hill Cemetery, Aneta, N.D. in the spring.

Officiating the service is Rev. Amy Kippen. Special music "On Eagle's Wings" and "You Raise Me Up" with congregational hymns "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art." accompanied by organist Jason Pierce.

Pallbearers include Kent Marsaa, Roger Skadsem, James Marsaa, Shawn Marsaa, Duane Mudgett Sr. and Duane Mudgett Jr. Honorary bearers are the staff of the Luther Memorial home in Mayville, all of Mike's family and friends. Military honors by the American Legion, Post #16, Aneta and the North Dakota Army National Guard Funeral Honors Team.

Michael "Mike" Duane Hillebrand was born on June 4, 1945 to Harold and Anna Mae (Syverson) Hillebrand in Sharon, N.D. He lived on a farm between Aneta, N.D. and Petersburg, N.D. until the age of 12. They farmed and raised turkeys. They then moved to Aneta where he graduated from Aneta High School in 1963. He married Barbara Wall on January 25, 1964 in Northwood at Ebenezer Church. After graduation he went to Lakota, N.D. and signed Army enlistment papers on January 27, 1964. He was in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. for basic training, then to Fort Belvoir, Va. for more training. From there he went to Fort Riley, Kan. with 1st Engineering and worked on heavy equipment. He was on leave in North Dakota for a week and a half, left N.D. and went to Fort Leonardwood, Mo. in 1965 and then went to Vietnam for thirteen months. He was honorably discharged on January 27, 1967 from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

After he was discharged he came to N.D. and worked at Farmers Union Oil in Aneta for a while. He then worked for Crystal Sugar in East Grand Forks. An opening came about at the Equity Elevator in Aneta, so he got that job. Later he transferred to the elevator in Churches Ferry, N.D., then to the elevator in Hamberg, N.D. and then he worked in the elevator in Oberon, N.D. until he retired after over 30 years in the elevators.

After retirement they moved to New Rockford, N.D. and he worked on older cars and pickups and played cards, which he enjoyed very much. He also enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mike is survived by his wife, Barbara; children, Brent (Lanette) Hillebrand, Michelle Hillebrand, Marcee (Kent) Marsaa, Boyd Hillebrand and Bradley (Danae) Hillebrand; brother, Bradley (Lisa) Hillebrand; sister, Sheila (Dennis) Knudson; 10 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren and two greats on the way; and ex son-in-law Roger Skadsem.

He is preceded in death by his mom and dad, in-laws, brother-in-law, two nephews, one niece and one great grandson.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of New Rockford, N.D.