Hildegard Bancroft, 89, of Redfield, SD, died Thursday, February 12, 2009 at Golden Living Center in Redfield. Her funeral will be Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. Pastor Josh Kendrick will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. Visitation will be Friday from 6-8:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home.

Hildegard was born the daughter of Lawrence and Susanna (Zweber) Herrbach, June 24, 1919, in Hoven, SD. The family moved to Onaka where she completed school through the 8th grade.

From the time she graduated at the age of twelve she was employed by relatives and other families performing a variety of household tasks. In 1939, she was employed with a family in Redfield where she met her future husband at dancing events. She married Howard Owen Bancroft on June 24, 1941 in Redfield.

They farmed and lived northeast of Redfield until moving to town in 1973. She was employed at the James Valley Nursing Home and South Dakota Developmental Center-Redfield until retiring.

Hildegard enjoyed cooking, jigsaw puzzles and collecting dolls and other knick-knacks. She also enjoyed sewing and making her own clothes.

Three children were born to this marriage: Marilyn (John) Reynolds of Porterville, MS; Warren (Kim) Bancroft of Magnolia, TX; and Lois (Merlin) Paul of Redfield, SD.

She is survived by her children, stepson Keith Bancroft, Grenada Hills, CA, thirteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Howard in 1994; sisters Mary Herrbach in infancy and Rose (Reuben) Jackson in 1999; and stepson Walden Bancroft.
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