Elaine Van Westen

Elaine Van Westen, age 81 of Sibley, Iowa, died Monday, May 18, 2026, at the Fellowship Village in Inwood, IA.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in Sibley, IA, with Pastor Daniel Winkowitsch officiating. Burial will follow in the Holman Township Cemetery at Sibley, IA.

Elaine Kay (Ganzevoort) Van Westen was born on February 13, 1945, in Sheldon, Iowa, the daughter of John and Freda (Brendal) Ganzevoort. She grew up in Sheldon and graduated from Sheldon High School in 1963. She then attended Northwest Iowa Technical College in Sheldon for two years and earned a degree in secretarial. On May 24, 1980, she was united in marriage to David Van Westen. Throughout the years, Elaine has lived in Sibley, LeMars, and Rock Rapids. Elaine attended First Baptist Church in Sibley and was at the heart of Elaine’s life and faith. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who found joy in life’s simple comforts. She began each morning with a warm cup of coffee, a devotional or enjoying a good book. She never let a day pass without a piece of chocolate, her favorite food group. Elaine’s love of reading was only matched by her gentle spirit. She could often be found softly rocking in her chair, book in hand, humming her favorite hymns. Dementia may have changed many things over the last ten years, but it never took away Elaine’s unwavering faith or the loving spirit that defined her life.

Elaine is survived by her children, Pam (Dale) Elkins and their children, TJ and Kyle all of Stockton, MO; and Daryl Heibult and his children and grandchildren, Tyler (Taylor) and their children Briar, Kobe, Blakelee, Ashton, Aria, Kennedy, Logan (Lexi) and their children Beckett, Emory, and Marissa; Amy (Kevin) Lindberg and their children, Emmarie, and Makenna all of Des Moines, IA; and Ann (Jeremy) Rozeboom and their children, Hailey, Harlee, her daughter Rayna, Hadley, Issabelle (Caleb), Ashlynn, and Skylar all of Inwood, IA; Wade (Dawn) Van Westen of Milwaukee, WI, and their children and grandchildren, Kaeli (Adam) Schutz and their children Oliver and Xavier Schutz, and Bryan and Eric Van Westen; Warren (Krystal) Van Westen of Sibley, IA, and his children, Jordan (Jessica) Van Westen of Dell Rapids, SD, and Joshua (Andrea) Van Westen and his children, Haylyn, Evelyn, and Raelyn all of Harrisburg, SD, Jaci Van Westen of Sibley, IA; one sister-in-law, Myrna Westen of St. Croix, WI; and niece, Lori Baldwin; nephew, Ryan Baldwin (Harper); and other extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her husband, David Van Westen, her parents, John and Freda Ganzevoort; sister, Coleen Baldwin; brother-in-law, Larry Baldwin and her brother, Jon.