Hilda Margaret De Kubber passed away peacefully at the Lynden Christian Health Care Center on July 8, 2010—14 days shy of her 97th birthday. Hilda was born July 22, 1913 to John P. and Whilamina "Minnie" (Boerhave) Pilon in Lynden, WA. She attended Lynden Schools and graduated 8th grade in 1927. On November 26, 1936 Hilda married Arnold De Kubber, Sr. in Lynden.
Hilda loved the Lord and supported many charities, most notably the Billy Graham Foundation. She owned most of Billy Graham's books. Her memory was most remarkable and perfect right to the end. Hilda faithfully kept a daily diary for 76 years and the entries are a recording of her life from age 21 to the present. Her daily entries began with the weather, then daily activities and people she entertained or visited. Of note are references to historical events, the Bombing of Pearl Harbor, Presidential Elections and the first Moon Walk. Each day concluded with her diary entries before going to bed.
A love for music, Hilda played piano, organ and accordion. She purchased her accordion on Columbus Day, 1949 and over the years she led Song Service and played solo accordion for many church functions. Her many hobbies included reading, writing, crossword puzzles and word find games. A favorite hobby was quilting and Hilda made a quilt for each of her five children and one as a wedding present for her first grandchild. Born and raised on the farm, she was a farm girl at heart; enjoying cows, driving a team of horses on the hayfork as a young girl, tending to beautiful farm gardens, canning hundreds and hundreds of fruits and vegetables in quarts for her family.
Hilda was a longtime member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Lynden and also a member of the Wiser Lake Chapel for over 45 years.
Preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arnold, Sr. in 1980; brothers, John and Jacob Pilon; and beloved first grandchild, Lisa Marie Oberto in 2003.
Mrs. De Kubber is survived by her five children, Frans (Hanna) De Kubber of Ferndale, WA, Minnie Pohlman of Lake Stevens, WA, Mary Jane (Vern) Buben of Kodiak, AK, John (Jennie) De Kubber of Custer, WA, Arnold Jr., (Dorothy) De Kubber of Lynden, WA and special friend, Colleen Halvorson of Lake Stevens, WA. Grandchildren, Carol and Nancy De Kubber, Aaron De Kubber, Kerri De Kubber, Mandy (Jonathan) Daniel, Kelley (Chad) Bouma; numerous great-grandchildren, stepchildren, cousins, nieces and numerous other relatives.
Hilda's family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the entire staff at Lynden Christian Health Care Center for the loving care and special attention shown to our loving Mother while she was in your care.
Visitation hours will be Monday, July 12, 3 to 7 pm at Gillies Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted Tuesday, July 13, 9:30 am at Monumenta Cemetery followed by a 10:30 memorial service at First Christian Reformed Church, 1010 W. Front St., Lynden with Pastor Robert Woodyard officiating. Memorials in Hilda's name are suggested to The Lighthouse Mission, P.O. Box 548, Bellingham, WA 98227 or a charity of choice.
