Laurine E. Hildebrandt

MERCER, Wis. - Laurine E. Hildebrandt, 99, of Mercer, died peacefully Friday evening, Dec. 9, 2016, in her home, with her son, Earl, by her side.

The former Laurine E. Frey was born June 15, 1917, in Roxbury, Wis., daughter of the late William and Mary (Bongard) Frey, and was raised on a small dairy farm. Being the second oldest, she helped work the farm, as well as help raise her younger brothers and sister, along with various part-time jobs during the Great Depression, just to make ends meet.

She married Frank A. Hildebrandt on July 15, 1939. She and Frank owned and operated Hildebrandt Sheet Metal Co. in Middleton until 1976, when they moved the business and home to Mercer. It was there that she loved her house on Echo Lake and regularly fished with her husband or anyone who showed interest in soaking a bobber. Frank preceded her in death in 1981.

Laurine was a member of St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Parish in Mercer. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, quilting and feeding the birds and deer that graced her yard, but her greatest love was raising her children and making the home a most efficient and enjoyable environment. She always cherished the "old days" and stories of farm life and the Great Depression. Although frugal, she tried to give her family the very best and her love was unsurpassed. We know that you now share eternity with the Lord and your love and His will shine in us forever.

Surviving are her children, Russell (Diane), Middleton, Ruth Marino, Lincoln, Calif., and Earl, Mercer; five grandchildren, Dawn (John) Edwards, Byron Center, Mich., Lynn (Brad) Richardson, Waunakee, Mark (Amber) Hildebrandt, Colgate, Frank (Lori) Marino, Yuba City, Calif., and Erika (Mathew) Roeder, Park Falls; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Clifford Frey, Waunakee; sister, Joan Peterson, Lawton, Okla., son-in-law, Gary Gibbs, Mercer; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Laurine was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Gibbs, on May 2, 2007; brothers, Werner, Sylvester and Earl Frey; sister, Dolores Usher; and son-in-law, Frank Marino Sr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 16, at 11:30 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10:30 a.m., at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, with the Rev. Ronald Serrao, celebrant.

Luncheon will follow.

Rite of Committal and spring interment will be in the Mercer Cemetery.

If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind, 813 W. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53233, or selected charitable organization.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood, Mich. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank Ministry Home Health and Hospice for all their special care, Norb Brossmer for his words of faith, and mother's neighbors for all their visits and assistance when she needed help. Bless you all!