Hildegard was a well-loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, known for her tenacity, innovation, and engagement with her family, community, and God. She grew up in the Mennonite community of North Kildonan in Winnipeg, the oldest of 4 children born to Jacob and Liese Peters. Hildegard attended grade school at Lord Kitchener and graduated from Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute in 1951. Completing her training at the St. Boniface school of nursing in 1955, she worked as a nurse for 4½ years. In 1957, Hildegard married Peter Isaak (1933-2019). Their two sons, Jon (1960- ) and Chuck (1961- ), were the delight of her life. She took great pleasure in managing a thriving home for her three men, joining them in engaging the world with compassion, justice, and kindness. For 20+ years, she taught the high-school girls’ Sunday school class, taking much joy in advocating for them, helping them to know that they were every bit as competent as the boys in the other class! A whole generation of women count her as a mentor at North Kildonan MB Church and McIvor Avenue MB Church. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Peter Isaak, and her great-grandson, Alex Toews, and remembered with love by her sons and their families.
