James Peter Huibregtse, 89, passed away on Friday, January 10, 2025, at Pine Haven
Christian Communities Haven Drive Campus Covenant Home– Sheboygan Falls.
He was born on May 7, 1935, to Peter and Ruth (Noetzel) Huibregtse in Plymouth,
WI. James graduated from Sheboygan Central High School in 1953. He enlisted in the
United States Air Force and served from 1954 to 1958, obtaining the rank of staff
Sergeant.
After his time in the service, he started a 40 + year career in banking. He was
employed initially by Citizens Bank Group of Sheboygan and was offered the
opportunity to attend the University of Virginia for a specialized accreditation in
banking. Following the acquisition of Citizens bank he worked with Norwest Bank,
First Interstate Bank, and finished his career at Wells Fargo Bank. Upon his
retirement from his banking career, he was employed at The American Club for 10
years, before retiring there in 2010. His love of interacting with people was ever
present in his occupational years. Successive years had him volunteering at
Longfellow Middle school as a reading assistant. He loved his time with the kids.
On June 24, 1961, James married Lavonne Helen Brill at First Presbyterian Church in
Oostburg. They enjoyed 60 wonderful years together. She preceded him in death in
2022. James was a faithful 70+ year member of First Congregational Church in
Sheboygan, where he was devoted to many church activities and the community. He
and his wife donated and volunteered with many local organizations including the
John Michael Kohler Arts Center, YMCA Horizons Club, Mead Public Library
Society, the Sheboygan A’s & Oldtimers Baseball Club to mention a few.
James was also a longstanding, 31-year member of the Sheboygan Evening Lions
Club and the Sheboygan Historical Society, He enjoyed sports, and was an avid
supporter of Wisconsin sports teams. He and his wife also loved to travel, visiting all
50 states and 27 countries. His last trip was in 2021 when he was able to participate
with his son Scott in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington DC.
James is survived by his sons, Scott (Dawn) Huibregtse of Cedarburg, WI, and Steve
(Sherry) Huibregtse of Middleton, WI; granddaughter, Britta Rose Huibregtse; sisters,
Colleen Kovacic of Chilton, WI, Barbara (Larry) Peterman of Helena, MT; brother-in-
law David DeMaster of Cedar Grove, WI. He is further survived by many nieces,
nephews, and lifelong friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lavonne, his son Todd Huibregtse, parents,
parents-in-law Marvin and Mildred Brill, brothers-in-law, Carl Brill, Ronald Kovacic
and sister-in-law Eleanor DeMaster.
A Memorial Service will be held at the First Congregational Church – UCC, 310
Bluff Ave, Sheboygan, WI, 53081 at 11:00 am on Friday, January 24, 2025, with
Pastor Jim Hollister presiding. Military honors will follow the service.
Family and friends may greet for a time of visitation at the church from 9:00am until
the time of service. Internment will take place at Wildwood Cemetery with his wife at
a later date.
Memorial donations can be made in James’s name to First Congregational Church,
310 Bluff Avenue, Sheboygan.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and staff at Pine
Haven who became like a second family to him. Also, special thanks to the nursing
staff at Compasses Hospice, as well as, friends Don & Judy Zimmerman of
Sheboygan for their incredible compassion and support to the family.
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