Ann Meinzen Hildebrand

Ann Meinzen Hildebrand died peacefully on January 22, 2021.

Born on September 19, 1933, in Winnipeg, Canada, to the Rev. Richard E. and Dorothy Soergel Meinzen, Ann moved to Canton, Ohio, in 1949.

She graduated from McKinley Senior High School in 1951 and attended Kent State University, where she met her husband of 62 years, William H. Hildebrand. Ann had deep ties to Kent State as both a student and faculty member in the Department of English, where she was a professor and scholar of children’s and adolescent literature. Vibrant, engaged, spirited, and luminous, she was also thoughtful, kind, warm, and generous. Guided by the teachings of Christ, throughout her life Ann was a passionate advocate for the poor and unheard, for social, economic, and environmental justice.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents and her cherished sister, Kathryn “Kay” Christopher. She is survived by her great love, Bill; her dear brother-in-law, Charles Hildebrand; her treasured children, Arthur and Kristine Lindroth Hildebrand and Joanna and Ray Craig; and her beloved grandsons and granddaughter-in-law, each of whom she had a special relationship with: Kelan and Amanda Craig, Will Craig, Joey Craig, and Jacob Hildebrand. Ann graced the lives of countless family members and friends around the world.

The family plans to celebrate Ann’s life in the summer, when friends and family can gather safely to comfort one another and rejoice in her faithful life lived with joy and purpose. Memorials may be made in Ann’s name to Trinity Lutheran Church, Kent, Ohio, and to the Stow–Munroe Falls Public Library.

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W Main Street, Kent, Ohio 44240.