Theodore "Ted" Ribbens
October 3, 1926 — January 24, 2017
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.
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.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, January 27, 2017
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Memorial Funeral Home
Prayer Service
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Faith Christian Reformed Church
Memorial Service
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Faith Christian Reformed Church
Guestbook
Visits: 11
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