January 21, 1929 – September 25, 2021

A memorial service for Dena Hibma, 92, of Edgerton was held Friday, October 1, 2021; 1:00 p.m. at First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton with Pastor Scott Muilenburg officiating. Interment was in the Chandler Community Cemetery, Chandler, Minn.

Music was provided by organist Vel Kooiman and the congregational hymns were Blessed Assurance, Peace Like A River, By The Sea Of Crystal and Hallelujah Chorus.

Pallbearers were Danelle Hibma Sample, Dane Hibma, Dorinda Wetselaar, Hans Hibma, Peter Hibma, and Kyle Waldner.

Honorary pallbearers were Owen Hibma, Jeffery Wetselaar, and Benjamin Wetselaar.

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, Minn. In 1975 they moved to Chandler, Minn., and farmed there until 1981. They lived on an acreage near Leota, Minn., from 1981 to 1986 when they retired to Edgerton, Minn. 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 of 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, Minn.; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and 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.