Ribbens, Theodore "Ted" 1926-2017

RIBBENS, DEWITT, KOOIMA, VERMULM

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/8/2017 at 10:58:22

Theodore "Ted" Ribbens, age 90, of Sioux Center, IA, died Tuesday, January 24, 2017, at Royale Meadows Care Center in Sioux Center, IA.

     A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 28th at 11:00AM at the Faith Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Pastors Dave Smit and Chad Van Ginkel officiating.

     A prayer service for family and friends will be held on Saturday at 10:00AM at the Faith Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center.  Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

     A visitation will be held on Friday, January 27th from 5-7PM with family present at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

     Memorials may be directed to Hope Haven.

   Theodore (Ted) George Ribbens was taken to his eternal home by his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. He was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on October 3, 1926 to Theunis and Gertrude (De Witt) Ribbens. He attended Christian grade school and North Public High School in Sheboygan, graduating in 1944. Ted joined the United States Navy serving his country from1945-1946. He served in Pearl Harbor in the electronic supply division.

   Following his military discharge, Ted enrolled in Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, graduating with a B.A. in Mathematics and History. It was while he was attending Calvin College that he met the love of his life, Lois Kooima from Rock Valley. They were married on July 30, 1949. From 1950 - 1957 he taught at the junior high level and served as principal at various Christian Schools in Edgerton, MN, Churchill, MT, and Kalamazoo, MI.

   In 1957 Ted and Lois and their five children moved to Rock Valley, Iowa, where Ted worked as an accountant. It was while living in Rock Valley that the Lord laid on the hearts of four men a vision to begin a ministry for the physically and mentally challenged. Ted was part of that group and he took pleasure in watching the Lord grow what we now know as Hope Haven Ministries.

   In 1963, feeling called to go back to teaching, he was hired at Western Christian High School where he taught in the math department for 18 years. Throughout these years he pursued a Masters Degree in the teaching of Mathematics which he completed at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Following 25 years of teaching, he sold life insurance for Northwestern Mutual Life for ten years.

   Ted and Lois lived in Hull until retirement when they moved to Sioux Center. They enjoyed many years of traveling and camping, spending winters in Arizona and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling to many national parks and most of the mountain ranges in the U.S. Lois passed away on August 22, 2005. Later Ted moved into Franken Manor. While living there he met Nelva Ver Mulm. They were married in December 2011. Nelva passed away on September 29, 2013. In October of 2015 he became a resident of Royale Meadows Care Center.

   Over the years, he attended Calvin CRC in Rock Valley, First CRC in Hull and was a current member of Faith CRC in Sioux Center. He served as an elder, taught catechism classes and led adult Bible studies (Bereans) for many years.

   An avid Cubs fan, Ted enjoyed celebrating with his family a Cubs themed party for his 90th birthday, and was thrilled to see them win a world series in his lifetime.

   Ted had a firm handshake, quick wit and sense of humor. He was a servant of the Lord, who was in awe of the enormity of what Jesus Christ did for him on the cross.

   Surviving relatives include two sons, Larry (Paula) Ribbens of Orange City, Don (Mindi) Ribbens of Austin, Texas, two daughters, Barb (Ken) Addink of Sioux Center, Sherry (Philip) Brummel of Hull; a daughter-in-law Marilynn (Lyle) Ribbens-Gritters of Sioux Center; 31 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Fran Van Baak and Char (Ade) Kaashoek both of Grand Rapids, MI; Marge Kramer of Kalamazoo, MI, sister-in-law Clarice Ribbens of Blacksburg, VA. along with many nieces and nephews. Also the Ver Mulm family: Duane (Sherry) Ver Mulm of Rock Valley, Sharon (Warren) Kroontje of Sioux Falls, SD, David (Debra) Ver Mulm of Hull, Lois (John) Rassel of Hawarden, Gale (Steven) Bolt of Iowa City, IA and their families.

   In addition to his parents and both wives he was preceded in death by a son, Tim Ribbens; great-granddaughter, Carissa Addink; two brothers Anthony and William Ribbens; and one sister Anita Bratt.
 
 
Source: Memorial Funeral Home online obituary.