FOWLER - Donald M. Hildebrand, age 95, died Friday evening, October 12, 2007, at the Fowler Nursing Home, Fowler, Kansas.

He was born November 9, 1911, at Pikeville, Indiana, the son of Henry Herman and Sena C. (Loesch) Hildebrand. As a young boy he moved to Fowler, Kansas, in 1925. He then attended the Fowler school system, graduating from Fowler High School in 1929. After his graduation, he attended Fort Hays State University, graduating in 1938 with a degree in Education. While at Fort Hays, he was a gymnast and wrestler. Upon completion of his education, he returned to rural Fowler where he taught fifth grade for four years and continued his farming and ranching career.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, having served on many boards; a Charter member of the Fowler Kiwanis Club; the Fowler Wildlife Club; served on the Meade County Fair Board for over 15 years; was a member of the Fowler School Board; a founding member of the Meade County Historical Society; and was a very active member of the 4-H. In 1963, he was recognized by the Kansas State University Extension as a Master Farmer; was awarded the Bankers Award for Soil and Water Conservation in 1951; in 1955 was presented the Skelly Superior Achievement in Agriculture Award. He was a member of the Kansas Livestock Association, and an honorary member of the Kansas Angus Association, receiving the Historic Angus Herd Award from the Kansas Angus Association for more than 60 years of work with Angus cattle.

He enjoyed photography, playing horseshoes, taxidermy, and had a passion for history.

On October 23, 1948, he married Evelyn Myers at Sterling, Kansas. She survives.

Other survivors include:

A daughter, Susan Russell and husband, Bill of El Paso, Texas

Four sisters, Ruth Schmidt of Hutchinson, Kansas
Grace Zimon of Hutchinson, Kansas
Amy Kummerow of Urbana, Illinois
Christine Michener of Ann Arbor, Michigan

A grandson, Scott Russell; and two step-grandchildren, Matt Russell and Stacey Blomstrom.

He is preceded in death by a son, Dean Richard Hildebrand on July 2, 1977; his parents; and three brothers, E.C., Henry, and John Hildebrand.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 16, 2007, at the Fowler United Methodist Church, with the Reverend Dick Robbins presiding. Friends may sign the register book from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade, Kansas. The casket will remain closed. Interment will be in the Fowler Cemetery, Fowler.

The family would welcome memorials to the United Methodist Church or Hospice of the Prairie in care of the funeral home.