Dena Louise Hibma

Dena Louise Hibma was born on January 21, 1929 to Theodore and Bertha (Kopatz) Westerveld in Boyden, Iowa. She was baptized at the Middleburg Christian Reformed Church in Middleburg, Iowa. She attended country school and then the Sheldon Christian School from 4th to 8th grade.  She received her GED in 1972.  After completing 8th grade she worked for families in the area doing cooking and cleaning.  She also worked as a cook at the Sheldon Hospital for 1-2 years.  She was united in marriage on February 23, 1950 to Theodore Hibma at the Sheldon Community Building.  After their marriage, Ted and Dena lived on farms at Matlock and Lake Park, Iowa.  In 1969 they moved to a farm near Fulda, Minnesota.  In 1975 they moved to Chandler, Minnesota and farmed there until 1981.  They lived on an acreage near Leota, Minnesota from 1981 to 1986 when they retired to Edgerton, Minnesota.  Dena then worked for 17 years as a cook at the Edgebrook Care Center.  In November of 1994, Ted preceded Dena in death.  She continued to live at their home until May of 2018 when she moved into the Edgebrook Estates in Edgerton.  On June 15, 2021 she entered the Edgebrook Care Center where she died peacefully on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at the age of 92 years, eight months, and four days. 

Dena was a member at the First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, and sewing quilt tops.  She loved to play games with her grandchildren and enjoyed watching her kids and grandkids play sports through the years.  Dena liked to pass the time playing Rummikub, and also pinochle with friends at the Senior Citizens Center.  She had an infectious laugh and loved to laugh often.  She was a loyal friend and a strong woman who went through many challenges in life and always made it through.

Dena is lovingly remembered by her children, Daryl (Debbie) Hibma of Sioux Center, Iowa, Roger (friend, Janice Krull) Hibma of Sheldon, Iowa, and Judith (Lazaro) Perez of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Danelle (Robert) Hibma Sample, Dane (Rachel) Hibma, and Dorinda (Sam) Wetselaar, Hans (Victoria) Hibma and Peter (Ashley) Hibma, and Kyle Waldner; three great-grandchildren, Jeffery and Benjamin Wetselaar, and Owen Hibma; one great-granddaughter on the way; sister, Arlene Westerveld of Sheldon, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Theodore Hibma; three daughters, Sharon Hibma, Marsha Grant and Teresa Hibma; one son-in-law Gerald Grant; one granddaughter, Amanda Waldner; and two brothers, Willard and Gerald Westerveld.

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