Hilda N Roelfs

Ashton, IA Hilda N. Roelfs, 87 of Ashton, IA died Friday, January 11, 2013 at Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Monday, January 14th at First Reformed Church in Sibley, IA, with Rev. Bruce Wilterdink officiating. Burial will follow at Gilman Township Cemetery in Ashton, IA. Visitation will be Sunday, January 13th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at First Reformed Church in Sibley. Hilda Nelvina Roelfs, daughter of Case and Lillian (Van Iperen) Van Kley was born on December 6, 1925 at Hospers, Iowa. Early in her life the family moved to a farm southeast of Sibley where she grew up and attended a country school near Cloverdale, IA. On January 1, 1948 she was united in marriage to John H. Roelfs at her parents farm. The newlywed couple moved to the Roelfs family farm by Ashton to start their farming and raising two sons, Bruce and Marlin. Her life revolved around being a faithful help and support to her husband. Her life was one of housekeeping, cooking, baking, gardening and raising her sons. Each day of the week had a specific routine which she followed until her advancing years. As Dutch tradition would have it she was very meticulous in all that she did. Some of Hildas favorite things were the family gatherings to celebrate her brothers and sisters birthdays or anniversaries. The stories were very interesting and funny. Many of lifes trials and points of wisdom were incorporated in them. She also enjoyed watching the activities of her two sons and later the four grandchildren. Many times we would look up to see her looking out the kitchen window with her loving smile. Listening to the radio for the latest news, recipes, or for home making tips was also important. The Minnesota Twins baseball telecast were a highlight to her. She knew her major league baseballs facts in order to have lively conversations with her brothers over who was the best. Attending worship services at the First Reformed Church in Sibley was very important to her. Many years she taught Sunday school or Catechism to the younger grades of kids. Each day a portion of her day was devotional time. Her Bible, a wedding gift, was read faithfully and although very worn over many years of use it remained meaningful in her life until the day of her passing. Many clippings about lifes philosophies are inserted in the various pages. Hildas earthly life came to a sudden end on Friday, January 11, 2013. Left to cherish her memories are two sons, Bruce (wife Gayle) Roelfs of Sheldon, IA and Marlin Roelfs of Ashton, IA; four grandchildren, Kristi Roelfs of Iowa City, IA, Dr. David (wife Joy) Roelfs of Louisville, KY, Nate Roelfs of Iowa City, IA and Nadine Roelfs of Barcelona, Spain; two great-grandsons, William and Owen Roelfs of Iowa City, IA; brother, Willis Bill (wife Dorothy) Van Kley of Sanborn; three sisters-in-law Alma Van Kley of Sibley, IA, Mina Van Kley of Sanborn, IA and Ruth Olson of Denver, CO; and other extended family. Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, Case and Lillian Van Kley; her husband of 60 years, John H. Roelfs; three sisters, Marie Bonsma, Jennie Heemstra and Stella Schiernbeck; and four brothers, Arie, Alvin, Bert and Cornie Van Kley.