Helen Wibben

Helen D. Wibben, passed on to Glory on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Medina Nursing Center in Durand, IL, where the staff had taken wonderful and loving care of her since January 2016.

Born in Rockford on April 27, 1925 she was the eldest daughter of Meade and Dorothea Nelson Durbrow.

She was married to George M. Wibben on October 6, 1951 in Gordon Chapel of Second Congregational Church. They farmed for several years, first on a rented farm near Winnebago, then on a farm they purchased on Route 75 near Durand. They moved to Lake Summerset in 1978.

A member of the Class of 1943 at Rockford West High School, Helen was chosen as senior girl outstanding in scholarship, leadership, character, and service. In 1947 she graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with a degree in journalism. There she was a member of Delta Gamma, social sorority, and Theta Sigma Phi, journalism honorary.

Helen worked for Howard H. Monk and Associates, advertising from July 1947 to July 1950 and from July 1963 to May 1965. She also was employed by Medical Supply Co., Rockford, Rockford newspapers, WREX-TV, and Rockford School of Business & Engineering. A reading specialist with a Masters of Arts degree in teaching from Rockford College, Helen taught at Rockford West High from 1966 to 1989. For many years she was an enthusiastic volunteer for Rockford Community Concerts. Helen was a 4-H leader for five years. Helen delighted in knitting sweaters for needy children through Guidepost / World Vision Knit for Kids.

The first woman to held the position of lay leader with Durand United Methodist Church, she was active in many church areas, including teaching Sunday school, church resource librarian, church Council, and transcribing teaching materials into Braille. She was particularly proud of having served for four years consulting with the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, the world’s largest church publishing house. She and George were wonderful examples of loving Christian parents, grandparents, and mentors to many throughout the years.

Survived by son Tom (Jackie) Wibben, daughter Betsy (Dan) Johnson, grandchildren Jessica Wibben, Michael (Amy) Wibben, great-grandchildren Skyler, Serenity, Violet, and Everett, sister Dorie Anderson and her family, and lifelong friend Jill DeYoung.

Predeceased by husband George in 2004, infant daughter Nancy in 1956, brother-in-law Fredrick in 2001.

A Memorial Ceremony will be held at Durand United Methodist Church, 102 E. Main Street, Durand, IL, with Rev. Brenda Byrne presiding on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., with visiting time at 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Cremation Rites were Accorded. Final Resting Place at Middle Creek Cemetery, Winnebago, IL. McCorkle Funeral Home- Durand Chapel assisted the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Jude or Durand United Methodist Church.