Hilda Brooks
May 4, 1919 ~ September 24, 2017
Hilda Marie Brooks, 98, was at peace as she left this world in the presence of her daughter Sunday, September 24, 2017, at Bethany on University, in Fargo, ND.
Hilda Brooks was born May 4, 1919, in Pierce County, ND, to Peter and Helga (Stensholt) Bertsch.
Hilda graduated from Rugby High School and attended business school in Bismarck, prior to graduating from Minot Business College.
Following her formal education, Hilda was briefly employed by the State Motor Vehicle Department in Bismarck. During World War II she was employed by Minneapolis based Red Owl Supermarket as relief manager for stores located in North Dakota and Montana.
Hilda moved to Grand Forks, ND, in 1946 where for 13 years she was employed as the bookkeeper for Wilson Clothing Company. She later assumed the position of credit manager and bookkeeper for Vold's Drug Store, which ultimately became Wall's Medicine Center. Her bookkeeping career in Grand Forks spanned 40 years.
It was in Grand Forks that Hilda met George Brooks, whom she married in 1948.
Three years after the death of her husband, George, Hilda retired in 1986 and returned to the Rugby area where she worked 13 years for the Reverend Vincent Tuchscherer as secretary and housekeeper at the Catholic parish conglomerate of Balta, Orrin and Fulda, ND.
Hilda was one of the earliest kidney donors which allowed her sister, Marian Wentz, to live an additional 12 years.
In 1998 Hilda moved to Fargo to reside closer to her daughter, Jackie Hvidston.
During her adult life Hilda traveled extensively, visiting multiple countries in Europe, Africa, Australia and the Orient. She was also an accomplished artisan of many crafts and was viewed by her grandchildren as the consummate “Granma.”
Hilda is survived by her only child, Jacquelyn (Colburn III) Hvidston, Fargo; three grandchildren, Michael C. Hvidston, Hurst, TX, Jennifer M. Hvidston, Fargo, and David B. Hvidston, Maple Grove, MN; three great-grandchildren, Katelyn Hvidston, Shawn Hvidston and Madelyn Hvidston, metropolitan Minneapolis, MN; two siblings, Dolores Pfeifer and Ralph Bertsch, Rugby, ND.
Hilda was preceded in death by her husband, George G. Brooks and three siblings, Marian Wentz of Rugby, Edward Bertsch of Fargo and Wilfred Bertsch of Martin.
Jackie and Colburn,
So very sorry for the loss of your beloved mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
The resemblance between you and your mother is uncanny. Such a beautiful woman.
My condolences to the family in this difficult moments. Please remember that God can comfort us. So draw close to God in prayer so He can draw close to you to comfort you and to give you that peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6;7).
Jackie and Family,
I was saddened to hear of Aunt Hilda’s passing. I have so many happy memories of time spent with her and Uncle George. I can’t help but laugh when I think of how she would say with a twinkle in her eye, “Oh George”.
Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Jon, Gretchen, and Benjamin Bertsch
Always enjoyed visiting with Hilda. She was a great asset to the Balta community while living there. Will keep ker and her family in my prayers. May she rest in peace.
Hilda was such a wonderful, kind-hearted person. We were fortunate to have her in Balta as a servant for Gods work. On behalf of my mother, Josie Hagel, we extend our sympathy to the family. May she rest peacefully.