Darrell L. Hildebrant, 92, of Brookings, SD passed away Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at the Neighborhoods at Brookview, Brookings, SD.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, at St Thomas More Catholic Church, Brookings, SD. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 3, at Rude’s Funeral Home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Ascension Lutheran Church, the American Parkinson Disease Association or the charity of your choice in Darrell’s name.
Darrell L. Hildebrant was born on Oct. 13, 1932, to Everett and Evelyn (Boullion) Hildebrant at Conde, South Dakota. He grew up and attended rural and public schools, graduating from Conde High School in 1951. After high school, he was drafted into the United States Army and attended basic training and leadership school at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky and Ladd Air Force Base at Fairbanks, Alaska, attaining the rank of Sergeant.
After returning from the military, he continued to help his father with farming and worked for Peavey Lumber Company. In 1957, he continued his education at Northern State College, graduating with a teaching degree in 1961 and with a Master’s degree in School Administration in 1966.
He was united in marriage to Lois A. Tesch on Oct. 18, 1958, and they had two children, Brian and Debra. Darrell and his family lived in Aberdeen, Florence, Waubay, Willow Lake, Wilmot, Doland, Bristol all in South Dakota. He was superintendent of the Bristol school for 17 years retiring at the end of the 1994 school year.
Darrell and Lois continued to live in Bristol, feeling that it had become home. He served as a Day County Commissioner for over 11 years, resigning in the 12th year so that he and Lois could move to Brookings in January of 2016, to be near their son and daughter and families.
Darrell loved being involved with children and adults, serving both to the best of his ability. Darrell and Lois spent many happy hours and days camping with family, especially the grandchildren, and friends.
Darrell’s hobby, after retirement, was making diamond willow crosses, canes, and walking sticks, and after moving to Brookings it evolved into making small willow cross necklaces to give away.
Survivors include the love of his life, Lois, one son, Brian (Laura Diddle) Hildebrant of Brookings, SD; one daughter, Debra (Rick) Intermill of rural Brookings, SD; seven grandchildren; Christopher, Andrew, Elizabeth Hildebrant, and Julianna Diddle (Jared) Schoepf; Dani (Angela),
Kristen, and Ryan Intermill; three sisters; Alice Kroll, Nancy (Donald) Hein, Linda (Steve) Shanley all of Aberdeen, brother-in-law Arnold (Barb) Tesch of Kent, WA, and several nieces and nephews.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law, Walter Kroll; niece, Joanie Kroll; nephew, David Hein; niece, Teresa Tesch Madison and step-brother-in-law, Dale Zirbel; step sisters-in-law, Ivis Sieveke and Jean Steinmetz.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
