Obituary of Rita Hilderman
Rita Hilderman was born on April 24, 1936, to Martin and Alice (nee Steltzer) Frick in the Duff district in Saskatchewan. From there they moved to a farm in the Lintlaw district. At this point Rita was joined by little brother Richard.
Rita’s youth was a happy time on the farm. She was often out of sight, and her mother quickly learned where to find Rita, she simply had to go out to the barn to find her nestled in among the kittens and other baby animals. Rita also had an adventurous side. She loved to climb the windmill and sit in the platform at the top. The trouble was, she couldn’t get down. So her patient and loving father had to climb up and fetch her many times.
In Rita’s teens she moved with her family to Yorkton where they spent the rest of their lives. Her education was at the Yorkton Collegiate, where she proved to be a good student but by her own admission she preferred to sing, draw and write stories than study math and history.
Rita found a job at the Boston Café in Yorkton where she proved to be a valued and respected waitress for about 3 years.
Then, a young man named Ken Hilderman came into her life. After a short period of dating and engagement, they married in 1957. Ken was her best friend and absolute love of her life forever more.
Rita and Ken moved to Pennant, Saskatchewan in 1957 where Ken was a grain buyer for Pioneer Grain Company. It was at this time that they started their family with Barry in 1958. They shared a wonderful life in Pennant and they added to their family with Linda n 1962.
In 1964, Rita and family moved from Pennant to Ken’s home town of Rhein, Sask. where ken took over managing the Pioneer elevator there. They quickly became involved in their church and the community and soon added to their family with another son Jason in 1968.
Ken took over the family farm in Rhein in 1969 and they all moved there shortly after. Rita’s time on the farm was spent riding her bicycle and enjoying the birds and the wildlife in the country. Except magpies, they annoyed her. Of course Rita worked hard as a farmer’s wife. She hauled a lot of grain at harvest and her harvest meals were legendary!
Moms main focus in life were her husband and children. There wasn’t anything that she wouldn’t do for us.
Rita had tremendous skills. She had a beautiful voice that she used in the Lutheran Church choir as well as the Rhein Kitchen Band. She was a talented artist and a great photographer. Rita always downplayed her talents and did things simply because she enjoyed doing them.
Ken & Rita spent many winters vacationing south, particularly in Florida. She always hated to go, until a few days before actually leaving. Most weekends at home, Ken & Rita would drive north of Pelly to camp and fish to their hearts content. This always led to their numerous fish fries at home.
Rita and Ken moved to Yorkton in 1996 where many happy retirement years were had until we lost dad in 2016. Rita went into the nursing home on 2022 where she lived until her passing on March 7, 2025.
Around Ken and Rita’s retirement, our brother Jason turned into their chauffer, helper and caretaker. After dads passing he turned into and absolute champion for our mother, being at her side every moment that he could. We will be forever grateful for this.
In Mom’s life we say thank you for the wonderful care she got at Yorkton District Nursing Home, Weber House. Also thanks to Bailey’s Funeral Home for the care given to mom and our family.
Rita is survived by her son Barry Hilderman (Treena), daughter Linda Anderson (Howard), son Jason Hilderman, brother Richard Frick (Ivy), grandchildren: Sara-Lynn Soke (Kelly), Dani Anderson (Dustin), Jana Schmidt (Kyle), Samantha Vickers (Andrew), Christen Nieckar (Tyler), Colton Dudar (Emma) and Trayton Dudar. Great grandchildren: Tydon Soke, Kaden Soke, Masen Vickers, Millie Vickers, Ethan Schmidt, Jack Schmidt and Parker Nieckar. Nephew Shane Hilderman (Olga), nieces Shannon Hilderman and Theresa McLean (Dale).
