Jacqueline "Jacquelyn" Hildebrant

Jacquelyn Ann Hildebrant left this world on November 21, 2025, under the loving care of Panorama Convalescent Center in Lacey, Washington.
Jackie was born on May 31, 1939, in Lakota, North Dakota to Anthony and Edna Foley. Five years later, her sister and best friend for life, Nancy, came along.
Jackie graduated from Lakota High School and went on to Valley City State University where she earned a teaching degree in elementary education. It was while attending school in Valley City that she met Kenneth Hildebrant and they married in 1958 in Lakota. After college, the couple taught in Cooperstown, North Dakota. In 1961, their only child Kristin was born. In 1965, the family moved to Hood River, Oregon where Jackie taught first grade for many years. During summer breaks, with Kristin in tow, she would go to what was then Southern Oregon College in Ashland. She completed her B.S. in Elementary Education in 1968 and her M.S. in 1972. Jackie had a long career teaching first grade and after earning several special education certificates in the late 1970s, she transitioned to that field which she loved and continued until her retirement in 1996.
After retirement (and long divorced), Jackie had many traveling adventures with good friends and Nancy. She discovered Sunflower Resort in Surprise, Arizona and spent many years there as a snowbird. Nancy and her husband soon followed and they all enjoyed many holidays, friendships, music shows, annual country music cruises and sunshine together. Jackie was never one to turn down a Tootsie Roll or anything chocolate! Her family will be finding candy wrappers in hidden places for years to come!
Jackie is survived by her daughter Kristin Hildebrant of Lacey, Washington, two granddaughters, Katelyn Ballard (Codi) of Olympia, Washington, and Madison Miller (Zach) of Roy, Washington, and three great-grandkids Brayden, Beau and Emmry. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Harold Kjelgaard of Fargo, North Dakota, and two special nephews, Eric and Chad. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved sister, Nancy Kjelgaard.
The family plans to hold a private celebration in the spring. If you wish to honor Jackie, please consider a donation to any charity supporting Alzheimer's research. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jacqueline "Jacquelyn", please visit our floral store.