Deborah Hibma, 71, of Sioux Center, Iowa, passed away on June 10, 2026 surrounded by her family after a courageous fight with cancer.

Deborah Bernice Hibma was born on August 15, 1954, in Sioux Center, Iowa, the daughter of Rev. Bernard J. and Deborah Haan. She grew up in Sioux Center and attended Sioux Center Christian School and Western Christian High School. She graduated from Dordt College (University) in 1976.

On June 2, 1979, she was united in marriage to Daryl Hibma, the first wedding on record at Dordt Chapel. They made their home in Orange City for 16 years and Sioux Center for 31 years. She was the proud mother of three children: Danelle, Dane and Dorinda.

Deborah, inspired by her father’s zeal for Christian education, became an elementary school teacher. She began her teaching career at Sibley Christian School in 1976 and moved to Orange City Christian School in 1978. She primarily taught grades K-2, and she served as the school librarian in the last years of her career. She also worked as a teacher’s aide at Sioux Center Christian School. She retired from teaching in 2020 and enjoyed part-time employment in retail within the Sioux Center community.

Deborah was a charter member at Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Orange City and attended First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center. Later, she attended Covenant Christian Reformed Church. She was involved in many ways; church choir, praise team, Sunday School teacher, children’s worship leader, elder, and numerous volunteer opportunities. Her church family will remember her boisterous personality, the enthusiasm with which she read scripture, and her heart for children.

She was an avid reader and put many hours into creating scrapbooks brimming with photographs of family milestones and travel adventures. Deborah was a wonderful cheerleader for all and especially enjoyed watching the athletics of her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. She found joy within Thanksgiving and Christmas and had a true heart for giving, welcoming all with open arms.

Left to cherish Deborah’s memory are her husband, Daryl Hibma of Sioux Center; her three children, Danelle Hibma (Robert Sample) of Bailey, Colorado, Dane (Rachel Kramer) Hibma of Sioux Center, IA, and Dorinda (Samuel) Wetselaar of Fort Worth, TX; and her three grandchildren, Jeffery Wetselaar, Benjamin Wetselaar, and Isaac Hibma. Also treasuring her memories are siblings Katie Haan, Elson (Ethel) Haan, Maime Ludwig, Bernie (Brenda) Haan and Enno (Lois) Haan as well as many nieces and nephews. She will also be greatly missed by brother-in-law Roger (Linda) Hibma, sister-in-law Judy (Laz) Perez, and nephew Kyle Waldner.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Deborah Haan, her father and mother-in-law, Theodore and Dena Hibma, Sharon Hibma (sister-in-law), Marsha and Gerald Grant (sister-in-law and brother-in-law), Teresa Hibma (sister-in-law), Sharon Haan (sister-in-law), Seth Haan (nephew), and Amanda Waldner (niece).

Family visitation for Deborah Hibma will take place at Covenant CRC in Sioux Center, IA on Wednesday, June 17 from 5-7pm. Her funeral will take place at Covenant CRC on Thursday, June 18 at 10:30am.  A livestream of the service will be available on the Church's Facebook Page.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Orange City Christian School or Dordt University.