She will be remembered. She's talking to grandma right now.

 Posted by Deb Hull (Hibma) - Comstock Park, MI - Cousin October 24, 2012

Jon & Family, We were very sad when we heard the news about Brenda. We just want all of you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I used to work in the Iowa branch of Wensco.I always enjoyed talking to Brenda ( Tari & Pepper) on the phone. May God bless and may you find your strength in the Lord!
 Cindy

 Posted by Cindy Trivette - Davenport , IA - Co- worker October 24, 2012

Brenda was avery special person. She loved children and was a great Aunt to my two children Frank and Holly. She will always be lovingly remembered for her beauty inside and out. You had an awsome Mom. 

 Posted by Wendy Wilterink - Ada, MI - former sister in law and friend October 24, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family! We are so sorry for your loss. May God give you His peace and comfort. 

 Posted by Don & Becky Hibma (Faith and Jacob) October 24, 2012

Brenda's smile and servants heart are something that I will treasure and remember always. The way you all surrounded her with love has been amazing to watch. Thank you for being such a great example of what "family" looks like.

 Posted by Noreen Zandstra - Byron Center, MI - friend October 25, 2012

What a blessing you were and a what a legacy you left. We were all lucky to have you as long as we did! You will be missed but not forgotten! If there is a garden in heaven I am sure you are busy tending to it now that you are healed! Jessica and I were so thankful to say our goodbyes just before yu left your earthly home.
 We will continue to pray for healing for the entire family.

 Posted by Toni Bredeweg - Moline, MI - Friend October 25, 2012

Jon and family, I am so sorry to hear of Brenda's passing. She was such an amazing woman. When I think of her, I picture her beautiful smile, even though for the years I worked with her at Wensco, we did most of our talking over a cubicle wall in the back corner of the office : ) I loved working with her, she was a big part of what made it fun to go to work each day. The times I've seen her since, she was always smiling, despite her circumstances. You have a wonderful family, and I know with God's help & with each others' support, your hearts will find peace. I picture her still, smiling, her body now healed & her heart filled with the joy that can only come from her Savior. I pray that you find peace in her joy, and will continue to keep you all in my prayers.

 Posted by Mandy VanderBaan - Hudsonville - friend October 25, 2012

My deepest sympathy to my brother Jon, Jonathon, Samantha and the entire Himba family. Brenda was kind, couragous and fearless more than I can comprehend. Even during her long illness she would always ask about my husband's health or how my old dog was doing. Her ability to care for and connect with all people amazed me. She taught me lessons without saying a word. God bless Jon and the Hibma-family caretakers for giving her the quality of life she wanted and deserved these last 8 years. Brenda was a warrior, but they were the iron horses beneath her. May she rest in peace with all her loved ones who have passed (and Smudge, Butch, and my Pebs!) Amy

 Posted by Amy (Bednarsky) Genther - Middleville, MI - Sister-in-law October 26, 2012

Jon and Family You all have my sympathy in the passing of Brenda. I worked with Brenda at Jobbers Warehouse for years. She was a wonderful and caring person. I worked with her and Tari and they were great people to work with. We had a lot of fun playing cards at lunch. She will be missed greatly. She is dancing and singing praises with Jesus right now. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Deb Boot(Brummel)

 Posted by Deb Boot(Brummel) - Alto, MI October 26, 2012

Sincere sympathy for a brave lady and her loving family, Paul and Susan

 Posted by Paul and Susan Schloop - Moline, MI - childrens teacher October 27, 2012

Russ, Darla, Jon and Family,
 Combined blessings and sympathy to the family of Brenda, the daughter, wife, and Mother with a smile and a loving for others as big as it gets! 
 It was truly a pleasure to meet and get to know Brenda briefly during our experience on the "Cruise 66 for ALS" along wih Russ & Darla.... how time has pasted.
 Our prayers are with you all, regret funeral home visit, as we are now in Fl. for the season.
 

 Posted by Larry and Bonnie Wormmeeser - Port St. Lucie, , FL - Friends October 28, 2012

May God be with you all in your time of Grief. I am sorry to hear about Brenda passing. 

 Posted by Kathy Swanson-Kent - Comstock Park, MI October 28, 2012

I only met Brenda twice at our church when she came to hear her nephew Kyle's band play. I was struck by her beauty and perfect posture, even in frailty. When our Pastor asked us to pick someone in the church that day to pray for, I chose Branda. My heart was moved by her because I had lost a niece with ALS, and we had prayed for Brenda often with Tari in our Bible Study. Next we exchanged emails and later were friends on face book. I caught her love of beautiful music sung by her favorite artists; and I caught that she had the gift of encouragement, always checking "like" by my family photos or other posts. I learned of her safe delivery Home in the strong arms of Jesus on face book. One could only celebrate her joy and healing with her Lord. But I could also imagine the BIG space she left in the hearts of those who loved her so much. May God give each of you a piece of the joy Brenda knows now. We know that is her wish.
 Trudy Block

 Posted by Trudy Block - Grand Rapids, MI - Prayer and face book friend November 05, 2012

I met my best friend 35 years ago at American Fitness while working out. The two of us were workout queens. We would come and go to the same classes, and formed a friendship that would last a lifetime. We were such polar opposites on some things, but yet have so many things in common. One thing Brenda and I loved to do was lay in the sun all day long. From sun up until sun down. Then we would get cleaned up and head out for the night. She started forming friendships with my Caledonia friends, and one person in particular, caught her eye... a handsome young muscular stud with black hair and a mustache. It was love at first sight for her. Jon and Brenda started dating soon after that, and she became a permanent fixture in our Caledonia group of friends. Parties at Reeds and the Zuidersmas was common for our weekend activities. And if Jon happened to be with the guys that night, she was always looking and waiting for him to show up. She got so excited when he did. Weddings and babies soon followed our group of friends, and we still stayed in touch with everyone. The girls kept our coffee group going at Mr. Fables to share stories about kids, ask for advice, or once in a great while it would turn into a man bashing night. But that is where Brenda was different than the rest of us. She never, ever complained or bashed about Jon. She just wasn't like that. And Jon, we all know you are not perfect. But Brenda was so in love with you. She loved the fact that you were home every night. She always knew where her husband was. The only time she would actually get testy would be the end of December when she was so very ready for hunting season to be done. By that time, her patience had run out. But just know, you were the love of her life, and she wouldn't have wanted anything different. We were so lucky to have the kind of friendship where the husbands were best buds, and we were best girlfriends. Soon, our children would become best friends, and grow up together, even while going to rivalry schools. To find that family that just clicks, where you can travel with each other and all get along, and still want to travel with them in the future, that's true friendship. Even to the point of talking of where we would like to retire together. But that was never to be.
 Brenda just loved, loved, loved little kids. When Joy and Rusty had the first nephews, she was so excited to be an aunt. And then came Fawn's bunch of kids, and Franks, and then her own sisters. I just want to express to Brenda's nieces and nephews how fortunate you are to have had an aunt who loved and cared about each and every one of you as if you were her own children. She talked about all of you non-stop. I bet you have no idea how much I know about each and every one of you. We shared so many laughs about stories of the kids as they were growing up and the challenges they could be to their parents. But what wonderful kids they all turned out to be!
 Family always, ALWAYS came first with Brenda. I cannot tell you how many times Kim and I would call to ask Jon and Brenda to get together and there would be a birthday party for a niece or nephew. I swear there was a party every other weekend! No matter how enticing the invitation was, we were always turned down because of the birthday parties. Her devotion to her family was unfailing. And miss a birthday party? Never. 
 Thoughtful Brother-in-law Frank was very, very special to Brenda. He gave so much to her in his little surprise gifts and his pop-in visits. Just his company with Jon, not really discussing anything serious, but just being together, helped Jon, as well as Brenda, cope. 
 I could never bring myself to read the book Tuesdays with Maury, Well, we had Tuesdays with Brenda. Every other Tuesday Kristi Terpsta, Cindy DeBoer, and myself would visit with Brenda just to sit and chat. Kristi and Cindy were good at giving Brenda foot massages. Some days we just didn't feel like going, but went anyways begrudgingly. And every time we left, we were so happy we did go. Brenda always touched our hearts and blessed us in a way we just couldn't explain. We will miss our Tuesdays with Brenda.
 If Brenda would have lived a long life, I think she would have given Grandma Lois VanHaitsma a run for her record for teaching Sunday school. Brenda loved to be involved in the kids programs at church and loved to teach the kids. One of the hardest things for her to give up when she got sick was giving up her Sunday school classes. 
 To Jon and Sam, I want to tell you that even though your mom didn't express her feelings much, she was so very proud of both of you. Your excellence in school, and all your sporting events gave her so much joy. There is nothing she would rather be doing than sitting in a gym, watching her kids play sports. You were the light of her life. Her wish for you is to walk with Christ, and to someday find a mate that will continue that walk. If Christ is the center of your life, then everything else will work out. She believed that with her whole heart, and lived her life with that belief. 
 Brenda, my friend, I will forever miss you and never forget you. Kim and I will always be there for Jon and the kids. Forever friends, forever we will be. 
 One last thing I would like to say is to Jon, Tari, Shari and Aunt Pam. Without you Brenda wouldn't have lived as long as she did. You made it possible for her to be happy at home, and still have a somewhat normal life. Her trips to Panera Bread, to Target, and Meijers - such simple things but made her day. What you gave up of your lives to care for her is short of a miracle. You are to be recognized as the heroes that you are. God Bless you.
 Bonnie
 

 Posted by Bonnie Jones - Caledonia, MI November 07, 2012

OBITUARY

Brenda L. Bednarsky

June 26, 1960 – October 22, 2012

Cook Funeral and Cremation Services

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