Robert LeRoy Hibma

Sibley & Ocheyedan, IA 

 Bob Hibma age 86 of Sibley, IA died on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family. 

 Public visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 27th at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley, IA. 

 Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the First Reformed Church in Sibley, with Pastor Wesley Kouba officiating. 

 Burial will follow in the Ocheyedan Township Cemetery of Ocheyedan.

 Robert (Bob) LeRoy Hibma was born in Ocheyedan on April 9, 1938 as the first child of Pierce and Charlotte Hibma. He grew up on their farm near Harris, Iowa with his nine younger siblings. Being the eldest, he got his start in farming early. His sisters had to help him uncover some corn the first time he did the cultivating. It was only natural that he began farming as his life work after he graduated from Harris High School. He took a semester of agricultural classes at Iowa State. He also served in the Army Reserve. 

 While in high school, Bob met Laurel Gentis at Raccoon River Bible Camp, and their courtship began a few years later. They were married on November 23, 1962 in Cherokee, Iowa. They made their first home in a drafty farmhouse near Harris. While there, Andrew and Alice joined the family. In December 1968 they moved to a farm they had purchased north of Ocheyedan. A few years later John was born.  

 Bob was principled, conscientious, patient and generous, a loving man who had deep trust in God. These characteristics were seen in all areas of his life. He was the same person in every situation whether anyone was watching or not. He worked hard as a farmer and embraced new methods and technology, not only to increase the yields, but also to protect the fertile black topsoil on his land. He trusted God to provide a good harvest each year as he planted his crop (making sure those rows were straight). Even before he was married, he provided all that was needed so a missionary friend could leave for Africa. He continued to generously support missionaries throughout his life. His trust in God kept him from being anxious. He always slept soundly, even when he knew Laurel was spending the night in the car in the midst of a snowstorm during the winter of 1984. She was in God’s hands, and there wasn’t anything he could do to help her anyway. 

 When there was something that could be done to help others, Bob was more than willing to help. He would come into the house after a day in the fields and see what he could do to help. He always did the dishes on Sunday so Laurel could rest. He helped clean up after storms. He took missions trips to France, Germany, Albania, Guatemala and Mexico and helped with projects to support local churches and missionaries. He developed strong friendships with the men he worked with during his twenty trips to Mexico. These trips were a big highlight of his year. It was on one of these trips that Andrew met his wife, Victoria. 

 Bob’s commitment to doing what was right was put to good use in the community. Bob served on the Cooperative Elevator Association Board of Directors as well as the school board for Faith Christian High School. He was involved in his church all throughout his life and often served in leadership. A man of unusual discretion, his family only heard what was discussed at these meetings from public announcements. Fellow church board members have commented that Bob didn’t say much during their meetings, but when he did, everyone listened. 

 In 2006 Bob and Laurel moved to their home in Sibley. He enjoyed riding his bike without having to drive to a paved road. He was an avid cyclist into his 80s, often riding 4000 miles in a season. He wasn’t fast, but he had endurance. He enjoyed the comradery of group rides such as RAGBRAI, BRASAL, TRAM, BRAN, and riding the Natchez Trace with the Fuller Center for Housing. He had more t-shirts from bike rides than one person could possibly wear in a couple of months. 

 Being in Sibley also made it easier for Bob to spend time with his beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth. He followed the Sibley-Ocheyedan Generals Marching Band across the Tri-State area no matter what the weather and attended as many of her events as possible. There couldn’t be a prouder Papa. 

 Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Pierce and Charlotte Hibma; his son, John Hibma; his sister-in-law, Suzanne Hibma; his sister, Barbara Peters; his brother, Paul Hibma; and his brothers-in-law, Wesley Peters and Harold Ernst. 

 He is survived by Laurel, his wife of 62 years; his children, Andrew (Victoria) Hibma and Alice (Charles) Telfer; his daughter-in-law, Lana Hibma; his granddaughter, Elizabeth Hibma; his siblings, Lois (Wayne) Hasselblad, Mim Ernst, Joe (Marian) Hibma, Dan (Bonnie) Hibma, Judy (Lowell) Dykstra, Jerry (Nancy) Hibma, and Steve (Lori) Hibma; in-laws, Mim Hibma, and Versa (Bill) Stickle, as well as a plethora of cousins, nieces and nephews.