Obituaries

Elton Hilbrands, age 62 of Alton, IA, formerly of Rock Rapids, IA died Friday, December 30, 2022, at home in Rock Rapids, IA.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 14th at Living Water Community Church in Orange City, IA, with Rev. Garry Nyenhuis officiating.

The Burial will be at 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 14th at Hope Reformed Church, rural George, Iowa.

Visitation will be Friday, January 13^th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids, and also one hour prior to the memorial service at the church in Orange City, IA.

Memorials may be directed to the Hilbrands family for the purchase of a commemorative bench to be placed in Alton, IA and/or the Avera Hospice of Rock Rapids.

Elton Mark Hilbrands was born March 12, 1960, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Lucille G. (Peters) Hilbrands. He grew up on a family farm near Rock Rapids and graduated from Central Lyon High School in 1978.

Elton worked at Iowa Beef Packers in Luverne, MN and later Advance Brands in Orange City, IA. He most recently worked at Smithfield Foods in Sioux Center.

Elton was a huge fan of the Buffalo Bills, NASCAR, and was a great fan of Jeff Gordon until his retirement, and most recently Chase Elliot was his favorite driver. Elton was blessed with wonderful artistic ability. He shared many of his drawings with family and friends. Elton was diagnosed with cancer on December 30, 2020 and courageously fought the disease until his death on December 30, 2022, where died at his home near Rock Rapids.

He is survived by his mother, Lucille Smit of Rock Rapids, IA; six siblings, Dale Hilbrands of Brandon, SD, Glenda (Roger) Schellin of Elkhorn, WI, Milt Hilbrands of Irene, SD, Judy (Joe) Gacke of Rock Rapids, IA, Kent (Carla) Hilbrands of Lebanon, OH and Jason (Dawn) Hilbrands of Rock Rapids, IA; seventeen nephews and nieces and other extended family.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Hilbrands; a brother, Curtis Hilbrands; a great-nephew, Trey Gacke; grandparents, Fred and Tena Hilbrands and Louie and Dena Peters; and good friend, Dave Herda.

Colleen Hilbert-Hennings, age 92 of Hartley, passed away at Community Memorial Health Center in Hartley on Monday, January 2, 2023. Read more