Hilde Ford, 95, Ada, MN, passed away on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at the Benedictine Care Community in Ada. 
Hilde Gauss was born on December 9, 1925 in Riederich, a town near Stuttgart, Germany, the third daughter born to Eugen and Berta (Wenzelburger) Gauss. Hilde was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical Church. She attended grade school in her hometown of Riederich until the 8th grade. During World War II, Hilde was drafted into labor camps and began working for farmers and later working at a factory making airplane parts.
In 1951 Hilde immigrated to Minnesota and moved in with her aunt and uncle, Anna and Peter Beck of Borup. After staying with Anna and Peter for a few years Hilde began working at the Ada Bakery, where she met Harold Ford. On June 9, 1957, Harold and Hilde were married at St. John’s Lutheran Church (Green Meadow Township). Hilde became a member of St. John’s and was part of the Ladies Aid. Harold and Hilde raised their children on the Ford family farm, also located in Green Meadow Township, and were active lifelong members of the church.
Hilde was also a 4-H leader, a prolific knitter, and crocheter of doilies for family and friends alike. She and Harold enjoyed square dancing for many years with the Ada Valley Squares. Hilde also enjoyed hitting the links with Harold after they moved to town from the farm, and they usually turned the game of golf into a game of seek and find, bringing home more golf balls than they left home with.
Hilde and Harold enjoyed traveling too, places they visited include Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Germany, Australia, and quite a few road trips with their kids and grandkids to both coasts and many places in between.
Hilde is survived by her sons, Walter (Tammy) Ford, McGregor, MN and Robert (Lois) Ford, Oakland, OR; daughter, Heidi (Alan) Smith, DeSmet, SD; six grandchildren, William, Daniel, Garet, ReAnn, Carson, and Erin; six great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Johnny (Marlene) Ford, Moorhead, MN, and several nieces and nephews.
Hilde was preceded in death by her parents, Eugen and Berta; sisters, Berta Lipp and Hedwig Doster, Germany; and husband, Harold.
Memorial Service: 11:00 AM, Friday, August 20, 2021, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rural Ada.
Visitation: One hour before the memorial service at the church.
Inurnment: St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Ada.
Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.fredriksonfh.com
Arrangements with Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Homes
Ada & Halstad, Minnesota
