Andrew "Andy" Hibma

ANDREW 'ANDY' GEORGE HIBMA was born to George and Sadie (Wolbers) Hibma on November 20, 1926 in Pentego, North Carolina. He later moved with his family to South Dakota where he was raised and received his education. In 1943, he and his parents settled in Pipestone, Minnesota. In March, 1945, he entered the United States Army and served during World War II as a tank maintenance technician. After his honorable discharge in December, 1946, Andy returned to Pipestone where he began his career as a long haul truck driver. Over the years, he drove in 48 of the 50 states. His CB handle was “Minnesota Tar Heel”. He met and married Mary Pankonen and they had one child, Cherri. In 1989, Andy formally retired from trucking. At that time, he managed the Storybrook Apartments where he also lived for nearly 20 years. In January, 2013, he became a resident of the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. He died there on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, 2016 at the age of 89 years.

Andy enjoyed the simple things in life - camping, fishing and having a cup of coffee with the guys at McDonalds. He was also very proud of being part of the World War II veterans’ honor flight to Washington, DC.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Cherri (Billy) Fulton of Pipestone, Minnesota; his extended family, Jerry (Majorie) Pankonen of Pipestone, Pamela Friesema of Byron Center, Michigan and Randy (Lori) Pankonen of Slayton, Minnesota; and one sister, Dena VanRuler of Pipestone. He is preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Dale Hibma; and two sisters, Sally Halbersma and Grace Nieuwboer.