Sibyl Imogene Brees

Sibyl Imogene Brees, age 90, of New Hampton, Iowa died Monday, February 24, 2024 at the Shell Rock Healthcare Center.

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton where there will be a 6:00 p.m. prayer service by Rev. Paula Hemann.

Graveside service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 4, 2025 at Hudson City Cemetery in Hudson, IA.

Sibyl was born November 27, 1934 in Buckingham, Iowa the daughter of Maurice and Besse (Butts) Griffith. She attended Hudson High School where she met the love of her life, James “Jim” Brees. The couple was married on April 18, 1953, at the Mississippi River. To this union, one daughter was born. 

Around 1964, after frequently relocating for Jim’s job with the telephone company, the couple settled in New Hampton, where they built their lives. Sibyl worked part-time at the House of Flowers, channeling her love for florals into creating beautiful bouquets. At home, she tended to her flower beds and garden, while always keeping the bird feeders full so she could enjoy watching blue jays and cardinals while sipping her morning coffee. 

Jim and Sibyl were avid snowmobilers, belonging to the New Hampton Snowmobile Club. Many snowmobile trips were taken with her daughter and family to Yellowstone, the Black Hills, and northern Wisconsin. Summers were meant for camping, boating, and evening walks hand-in-hand with Jim.

Sibyl was a lover of cats, taking in the neighborhood strays and giving them a home where they would be loved and spoiled. She enjoyed baking with snickerdoodles being her specialty. Later in life Sibyl and Jim enjoyed traveling around Iowa antiquing.

Sibyl is survived by her son-in-law Robert “Bob” Brumley of Cedar Falls, IA; two grandchildren, Jason (Jillian) Brumley of Waterloo, IA, Jennifer Brumley of Portland, OR; one great-grandson, Nolan James Brumley. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Brees on October 19 2018; daughter, Joell Brumley on August 9, 2021; one brother, Lloyd Griffith; her parents.

Sibyl’s kind heart, gentle spirit, and love for family and nature will be deeply missed by all who knew her.