Obituary of Carmen Sybesma

Carmen Jill (Haverhals) Sybesma, the daughter of Barry Haverhals and Norma (Van Voorst) Van Vliet, was born in Sioux Center, IA on May 3, 1978. She received her education at Sioux Center Christian School, and graduated from Western Christian High School in 1996. On June 7, 1997, she was united in marriage to Shane Sybesma at the Christian Reformed Church in Sanborn, IA. The couple resided in Sanborn, IA, where they were blessed with four children. Following a courageous battle with cancer, Carmen passed away at her home, with her family by her side on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the age of 34. Carmen was a member of the Sanborn Christian Reformed Church where she was a very active leader of the GEMS Club. She enjoyed scrapbooking, crafts, baking, social media, and most of all spending time with her four children and family. Carmen had just finished her first semester of nursing school at NCC College in Sheldon, IA. Carmen had a special spark to her, that many were able to see. Her feisty spirit and loving, Christian personality was an inspiration to many. She had a certain flare about her and those close to her know the color purple was her favorite. She enjoyed her weekly coffee hour with her many girl friends. Whenever they needed someone to watch their children, Carmen's comment was, "I have four children, what's a few more!" For several years she did in-home daycare and loved every one of her "kids". Many marveled at her endurance with all that Caleb has been through, and how she reached out to, and was a blessing to so many other parents/children in similar situations. Her Christian witnessing was an inspiration to many, including her children, her father and mother, extended family, and all her many friends around the country, which was made evident by her Caring Bridge journal. This past summer, when she was able, she enjoyed the tractor pulls which her Dad's Red Rock team competed in. We grieve that she didn't get to fulfill her dream of being a nurse. She was currently employed at her nursing school, NCC, at their fitness center. Carmen will be dearly missed by so many, but her "comments" in situations will always bring a smile to our faces. She is survived by her four children: Cody Jon (12), Conner Jay (9), Mya Jill (6) and Caleb Shane (4); her father: Barry Haverhals and his wife, Jodi, of Hawarden, IA; her mother: Norma Van Vliet and her husband, Steve, of Orange City, IA; brother: Mike Haverhals and his wife, Tammy, and their children, Brooke and Cole of Rock Valley, IA; her grandmother: Artie Bonnema and her husband Elmer of Sioux Center, IA; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Carmen was preceded in death by her grandparents: William and Alice Van Voorst and John Haverhals; cousins: Tamara Van Voorst, Leah Van Der Brink, Annette Post; Uncle: Ron Van Der Brink. In loving memory of Carmen J. Sybesma Born ~ May 3, 1978 Died ~ January 10, 2013 Age ~ 34 years 7 months 7 days Memorial Service 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Christian Reformed Church Sanborn, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Greg Dyk Rev. Al Van Dellen Organist ~ Thelma Elgersma Pianist ~ Starla Reitsma Soloist ~ Jessica Geise Special Music “How Great Thou Art” Congregational Singing Processional ~ “Peace Like A River” “Blessed Be The Name” CD Recessional ~ “Amazing Grace” Pallbearers Mark Hulshof Eric Swets Jason Swets Aaron Van Voorst Ben Van Der Brink Chris Van Der Brink Ushers Lee Van Tol ~ John Vander Werff ~ Jim Van Dyke ~ Ray Elgersma Interment Roseland Cemetery Sanborn, Iowa