Carol Joyce Hiebert

Carol was born January 18, 1946 in Los Angeles, California to Elias Wiebe and Phyllis Roskam Wiebe. She spent her childhood in Southern California, Santa Barbara, and Reedley, California. After her family moved to Fresno, California she graduated from Fresno Pacific College. Carol later earned a MFA in fiber arts from Illinois State University. She married Larry Dean Hiebert on July 29, 1967. They lived in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin before settling in Downs.  In recent years, Carol and Dean wintered in California, enjoying the weather, the ocean, and visits with family.

She fell in love with Asian cuisine while living and traveling with her family in several Asian countries. Carol was a great home chef and shared her passion for food by teaching cooking classes at the Garlic Press in Normal. She was also an Illinois Master Gardener. Combining her love of gardening and food, she played an essential role in the Downs Village Market every year starting with its establishment in 2003.

She was a natural teacher and we will remember the many things she taught us. With love and gratitude we remember all the many gifts and talents she shared with us throughout the years. She will be sorely missed.

Carol is survived by husband Dean Hiebert; brother Daniel Wiebe and sister-in-law Dorothy Slabach; sister-in-law Alice Wiens; son Alan Hiebert, daughter-in-law Heather Daniels, and grandson Elias Hiebert; son Matthew Hiebert, daughter-in-law Jennifer Runty, and grandsons Leo Hiebert and Maxwell Runty. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Mennonite Central Committee, MCC.org.