Hilda Hilbrands

Hilda Hilbrands, age 93 of George, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, April 19, 2026, at her home in George.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Hope Reformed Church in George, Iowa.

A graveside service will be 9:30 AM, Friday, April 24th at Hope Reformed Church Cemetery in George. 

A Celebration of Life service will be at 10:30 AM, Friday April 24th at Hope Reformed Church in George, Iowa with Pastor Steve DeHaan, officiating. The Celebration of Life service will be livestreamed on Hope Reformed Church's Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Hilda Harriet Snuttjer was born on December 26, 1932 at George, Iowa the daughter of Harm and Etta (Van Westen) Snuttjer. She was raised on a farm and attended country school through the 8th grade. She attended George High School and graduated in 1950. Hilda then went on to attend Westmar College for one full year to be a teacher. She taught at a country school in the George area for several years.

Hilda was united in marriage to Harvey Hilbrands on August 12, 1952 at Hope Reformed Church in George. After the wedding, Hilda stayed in Iowa to teach country school until May of 1953. Hilda then moved to Fall Brook, California to be with Harvey who was serving in the United States Marine Corp. They moved back to Iowa after his discharge and made their home on a farm near George where they were blessed with eight children. In 1990, Harvey and Hilda moved to town.

Hilda was able to stay home with her children for 26 years. She was a homemaker, gardener, farm wife, and caretaker for her family. In 1980 when her last child started kindergarten, Hilda began working as a CNA and continued in that career for 20 years. She was a blessing to all those she cared for.

Hilda was a lifelong member of Hope Reformed Church. She was active in Women of Hope, Esther Circle and Priscilla Circle. Hilda will be lovingly remembered by her family for her delicious homemade treats on the kitchen counter, her homemade bread from the breadmaker and her wonderful home cooked meals. Hilda loved to send her family hand-written notes of encouragement, and many memories were made playing cards with her family.

Hilda is survived by her eight children and their families: Alan (Ina Faye) Hilbrands of George, IA; Linda (Lance) Grave of Spencer,IA; Donna (Glen) Geerdes of George, IA; Dennis (Marsha) Hilbrands of George, IA; Marcella (Jerry) Groen of Las Cruces, NM; Sherry (Doug) Harms of Aurelia, IA; Dean (Becky) Hilbrands of Orange City, IA and Vicki (Jeff) Lake of Sebeka, MN. She is also survived by twenty grandchildren: Heath Hilbrands, Stefanie O’Leary, Kelli Kruger, Kim Franzen, Dana Longlee, Kelsie Boddy, Reid Geerdes, Lindsey Brouillette, Jessica Thiede, Jenna Mares, Dylan Harms, Casey Groen, Tanner Hilbrands, Reghan Harms, Trenton Hilbrands, Madison Lake, Maya Starzl, Ellie Hilbrands, Maci Lake and Max Lake, 26 great-grandchildren, one adopted exchange granddaughter Katrin Gelhar and brother-in-law Stanley(Erma) Hilbrands, Luverne, MN. Hilda was preceded in death by her husband Harvey Hilbrands, her parents Harm and Etta Snuttjer, her granddaughter Katie Grave Anderson and her brother John (Margaret) Snuttjer.