HAMM, Hilda

February 15, 1931 — May 10, 2026

Hilda Hamm “Tante Hilda” passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully in the early morning hours of May 10, 2026.

At the age of 95, she outlived her immediate family, including one niece, Karen Engel, who preceded her in 2023. She is survived by two nephews, Victor Rempel (Calgary) and Anatoli Hamm (Germany); niece, Elsie Rempel (Kelowna); great-nephew, Daniel Engel; and 6 great-nieces, Rebecca, Christine, Amy, Patrice, Helena, and Katerina.

Hilda was born on February 15th, 1931, in Rosenthal, Ukraine. She was the youngest child in a very loving family, having three older siblings including Helena, Viktor, and Katie. Rosenthal (Rose Valley) was a beautiful and prosperous Mennonite village next to the Dnieper river in a very fertile region of Ukraine. She had a very happy childhood until the age of 7, when her father, David Hamm, was taken by Stalin’s secret police and sent into exile, never to be heard from again. Her parents had a strong faith in God and her mother, Helena, continued to nurture her children with Bible stories when the churches were closed down and Communism was established by the new Russian regime. The many fruit trees her father had planted, along with their large garden, saved them from starvation, brought on by the Communists, as it plundered Ukraine of its food, causing millions to die of starvation.

In 1941, the German army entered their area and briefly liberated the Mennonites from Russia’s brutality. Churches that had been closed were reopened, and the people felt a breath of fresh air as they gained freedom from the Communist regime. It did not last long, however. After the German army lost the battle at Stalingrad, they had to leave their home, together, with all the other Mennonites in the area, and flee as refugees towards the German sector of Poland. Unfortunately, after 2 years and on almost the last day of the war, Hilda and her family (except her sister Katie) were captured by the Russians. They were sent to a Gulag in Northern Russia, where they were forced to work as slaves for 12 years. Hilda, at only 14 years old, was fortunately able to work as a nanny for one of the Russian commanders during her time there. This saved her life as well as her mother’s because those who did not work were left to starve to death.  After their release, they resettled in Kazakhstan. Hilda, with her family, lived there for another 12 years before she and her mother were finally allowed to leave the Soviet Union to live with her sister, Katie Rempel and her family in Canada.

Hilda was 39 when she arrived in Calgary where she lived for 21 years. She found employment as a cleaner at the University of Calgary and eventually became the supervisor of her cleaning team. Hilda was so well loved by her staff that many of them continued to stay in contact with her long after she retired and moved to Kelowna at the age of 61, joining her sister, Katie (and John Rempel), who had moved here some years before. Once again, it didn’t take long for her to re-established herself, developing a new circle of good friends through her church (Kelowna Gospel Fellowship) and in her condo complex at Carmel Court. She enjoyed involving herself in seniors groups, bible studies, as well as special times with friends and family.

Hilda was a joyful individual who rarely complained about her challenging circumstances in life. She chose, early on in life, to completely trust in her Saviour, whom she deeply loved. She was a woman of prayer and gratitude. Her greatest joy in life was in helping and serving others. She especially loved to cook for friends and family. Everyone enjoyed her delicious borscht, cabbage rolls, dark bread and fruit cake (Platz). This, along with her infectious laughter, served her well in life.

Hilda made a lasting impression on all those whose paths she crossed. She will be greatly missed by all.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM, located at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC, with a reception to follow. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view in 3-5 days.

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