Dena Van Ruler

Dena Van Ruler…

was born to George Andrew and Sadie (Woelbers) Hibma on November 15, 1928 in Alcester, South Dakota and began attending school in Lennox, South Dakota. When she was 13 years old, she moved with her family to Pipestone, Minnesota where she completed her education. On May 7, 1946, she was united in marriage to Henry Van Ruler in Woodstock, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone where she worked for Fecker Produce for several years. She then stayed at home and assisted her husband with his business. Henry preceded her in death on December 11, 1978. After his death, Dena worked for Home Health Care and Hope Haven until her retirement in 2009 and was always a caretaker to others. In September, 2013, she became a resident at Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone where she died on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the age of 89 years, six months and seven days.

Dena was baptized in 1935 at the Methodist Church in Roswell, South Dakota. She loved to spend her time embroidering and bowling. While a resident at Good Sam, she was very active. She participated in PT and enjoyed activities that were provided, especially the musical presentations and playing bingo. She took pride in her appearance, was always impeccably dressed and makeup and jewelry was a must.

She is lovingly remembered by her two daughters, Sharon Kraft and her husband Richard “Rick” of McKinney, Texas, and Bonnie Haken and her husband Danny of Pipestone, Minnesota; eight grandchildren, Christopher Kraft, Amy Kelton, Thomas Kraft, Sarah (David) Wrigg, Cory Haken, Matthew Pluim, Nicholas Pluim, and Sean Pluim; and four great-grandchildren, Will Kelton, Logan Wrigg, Alexis Wrigg and Elsiella Pluim. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Van Ruler; her daughter, Janice Pluim; her infant son; her parents; two brothers, Dale Hibma and Andrew Hibma; and her two sisters, Sally Halbersma and Grace Nieuwboer.