Charles Hildebrandt

Charles CharleyAlbert Hildebrandt, 67, of Crosslake, MN, passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side April 26, 2009. He fought a heroic battle with cancer of 14 months. He was born February 15, 1942 to Otto and Laura (Schmidt) Hildebrandt and was the seventh of nine children who grew up on the family farm in Gaylord. After high school he wanted to see other parts of the world and enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed out of Norfolk, VA, where he served on the USS Independence aircraft carrier with duties in aviation ordinance. Charley married Jean VanBuskirk of Henderson on May 22, 1963 while on leave. Being honorably discharged from navel duties he was hired by Gustavus Adolphus College in the maintenance department. Witnessing Charleys many skills, Gustavus sent him to 4 years of night school at the Mankato Technical College for plumbing. Upon receiving his journeymans license he worked at Gustavus for 22 years. Loyal and dedicated he went back to school for his Masters degree and became the Master Plumber at Gustavus and continued working there for another 13 years. Charley and Jean lived in Ottawa, MN for 34 years where they raised 3 children; Kim, Amy and Mark. Annual family vacations over the forth of July were always awaited for at the Whitefish Chain of Lakes. Always wanting to retire in the Brainerd Lakes area, Charley and Jean bought land in Crosslake, MN in 1989 and made the big move in 1998. He was employed by Millard Plumbing out of Baxter as a Master Plumber until he retired. He really enjoyed helping Millard out after semi-retiring at age 62 and he especially liked to mentor the new young plumbers. Although he retired, he never stopped working hard or creatively making improvements and fixing things. He was always there to lend his knowledge and experience to anyone in need. Charley was a proud and very engaged family man; and, as a serious jack-of-all-trades he was the friend or family member everyone knew they could call for help. He always loved a challenge and could build, invent, and fix nearly anything. He was very loyal man and a trusted generous servant by those who lived and worked in his community circles  a protector of sorts. He had many hobbies throughout his years; his horses and saddle club, hunting, golfing, fixing and inventing, snowmobiling, boating, fishing, gardening, playing a friendly game of cribbage, and restoring his 1950 Ford F-1 pick-up truck. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved son Mark (19), and grandson Brent Jr. Charley will be lovingly missed by his wife Jean of 45 years; his daughters Kim Larson of Crosslake, and Amy (Brent) Schlueter of Minnetrista; former son-in-law Brian Larson of Otsego; 6 grandchildren, Hannah, Cole, and Eli Larson, Zackery Ward, and Preston and Parker Schlueter; brothers; Donald (Gerry) Hildebrandt, Maynard Hildebrandt, Roger (Linda) Hildebrandt, Jerome (Eunice) Hildebrandt, Arlen (Gail) Hildebrandt; sisters, Marlene (Paul) Kloeckl, Lolly (Bobby) Bauer, Darla (Larry) Abraham; as well as many other treasured family and friends. Charley will be incredibly missed by all who knew and loved him. We ask you to join us for a Celebration of Life Memorial Service; it will be held at the United Methodist Church in Le Sueur, MN on Saturday May 16, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Caring Bridge website, Good Samaritan Society Home Care & Hospice (Nisswa, MN), or the American Lung Association.