Rubena Ruth Hiebner, age 88, passed away quietly surrounded by family on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at Legacy Square in Henderson, NE. Rubena was born to John T. and Marie (Friesen) Friesen on February 18, 1937, in Hamilton County, the first of seven children. She graduated from Henderson High School in 1956. From her early childhood, Rubena learned of Jesus Christ through the example of her parents and trusted in Him for salvation at an early age.
In 1957, Rubena married Thomas Lloyd Hiebner, her husband of 68 years. Their first year of marriage was spent in Newton, Kansas, where Tom was doing his 1-W service. Following that year, they settled on a farm in York County. They were blessed with four children, Carrie, Janet, Rick, and Randy. Rubena loved life on the farm, enjoying gardening, baking, helping her husband with the farm work, and raising her family. Grandchildren were a delight to her. She prayed for them and enjoyed spending time with them as babies and young adults. One of her favorite phrases was “Dad and I are still very much in love.” She and Tom were a beautiful example of love and commitment to each other to many who knew them. Her final two years were spent in Legacy Square where she enjoyed having her nails done regularly, and the loving care of the staff.
Rubena is survived by her husband, Thomas Lloyd of Henderson, NE; her children, daughter Carrie and Daniel Ritzman of Argyle, TX, and their children, Jeremie and Ana Ritzman of Springdale, AR, Nathaniel and Meg Ritzman of Northlake, TX; daughter Janet and Kevin Andres of Elkhorn, NE and their children, Timaree and Jonathan Goertzen of Bennet, NE, Natalie and Levi Fowler of Manitou Springs, CO, Nicole and Ben Ritter of Kearney, NE; son Rick and Kristy Hiebner, of Henderson, NE and their children, Matthew and Tiffany Hiebner, of Henderson, NE, Vanessa and Travis Eller of Omaha, NE, Cheyenne Hiebner, of Henderson, NE and Maverick and Chloe Hiebner of Belgrade, Montana; and son Randy and Kim Hiebner of Henderson, NE and their children, Katrina and Marshall Williford of Lincoln, NE, Mallorie Hiebner of Columbus, OH, and Ryan Hiebner, of Henderson, NE. She is survived by 12 great-grandchildren, Asher, Evelyn, Mylynn, Ezra, Hunter, Harper, Roman, Zane, Eden, Chloe, Adelaide, and Kelby.
She is also survived by her siblings: Myrna Johnson, Mary and Dick Claassen, Donald J. Friesen, Amanda and Clarence Rempel, Connie Friesen, and LaVern and Carol Friesen and Tom’s siblings, Marlyce Hiebner, Sharon Hiebner, Evelyn and Virgil Ediger, and Twila and Clarence Busenitz.
Preceding Rubena in death was her brother, Melvin J. Friesen; her brothers-in-law, Robert Johnson, Ron Hiebner, Dewayne Hiebner, and Morris Friesen; sister-in-law, Pauline Friesen; and great-granddaughter, Brynlee Goertzen.
Private graveside services will be held prior to the memorial service. The memorial service is scheduled at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Countryside Bible Church in Hampton, with the Reverend Rod Goertzen officiating. Visitation will be from 1-9 p.m., Wednesday, with the family greeting friends from 6:30-8 p.m. that same evening, all at the mortuary in Henderson. Memorials may be directed to Legacy Square in Henderson.