Dena Wildeman

Rock Rapids, IA

     Dena Wildeman, age 89 of Rock Rapids, IA died Thursday, May 14, 2020 at Rock Rapids Health Care Centre.

     Dena Wildeman was born August 20, 1930 in Rock Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Tunis Sr. and Frederika (Voortman) Overman. She was raised in Rock Rapids and attended Rock Rapids elementary. As a young girl she worked various jobs for the people, such as laundry and sewing.

     Dena was united in marriage to Arthur Wildeman in July of 1948 and they made their home in Rock Rapids. They were blessed with three children, Donna, David, and Arlen. She worked as a self-employed interior house painter and with her husband, owned and operated the Rock Rapids Pool Hall for 10 years.

     She was a member of First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. She enjoyed painting, staining, and furniture refinishing. She also enjoyed playing cards, reading and later in life, traveling with the Freedom Club.

     In July of 2001 Dena’s husband, Arthur died. She remained living in Rock Rapids in their home and continued refinishing furniture and worked part-time at Ace Hardware in Rock Rapids. In 2013 she moved to Premier Estates in Rock Rapids. She entered Rock Rapids Care Centre in August of 2019, where she remained until May 14, 2020, when she died at the age of 89.

     She is survived by her three children, Donna (husband Earl) Bomgaars of Orange City, IA, David (wife Martha) Wildeman of Mankato, MN and Arlen (wife Lori) Wildeman of Boone, IA; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Leona Harmsen and Helen Overman, both of Rock Rapids, IA, Dorothy Overman of Hull, IA and Johanna Overman of Sioux Center, IA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, Tunis Sr., and Frederika Overman; husband of 53 years, Arthur Wildeman; four brothers, William, Ted, Mike, and Tunis Overman; and three sisters, Henrietta Franken, Rena Bleeker and Gertrude Spyksma.