HOEKSTRA, Ben 1892-1958

HOEKSTRA, AKKERMAN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 6/23/2014 at 08:46:53

Ben Hoekstra, 66, Retired Farmer, Dies On Friday

Ben Hoekstra, 66, died at his home on the east edge of Wellsburg at 7:30 Friday evening following a lingering illness.

He entered University Hospitals at Iowa City on July 15 for observation, and two days later had surgery. He returned home 2 1/2 weeks later, and his condition gradually became worse.

Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Monday in the Wellsburg Reformed church, Rev. George C. Poppen in charge. Burial was in the church cemetery. Rev. Poppen's text was from I Corr. 13:12.

Pallbearers were Herman Koch, John Sietsema, Sam Ross, Kenny Adams, Abe Murra and Alle Murra. Special music was furnished by Mrs. George Poppen soloist. Miss Marcella Neessen was accompanist.

Mrs. Herman Koch and Mrs. Carroll Stahl had charge of flowers, and ushers were Peter Ruter and Bernard A. Engelkes.

Obituary
Ben Hoekstra was born October 7, 1892 at Madison, Illinois, the son of Cornelius and Mary Hoekstra. He received his education in Madison before coming to Wellsburg while still a young man.

He was married to Louise Akkerman in Wellsburg on April 3, 1912, and the couple were blessed with three sons.

Mr. and Mrs. Hoekstra farmed 1 1/2 miles north of Wellsburg for 33 years before moving to Wellsburg in 1945. After his retirement from the farm, he continued working by driving school bus and was a salesman in this area for the Pioneer Seed Corn Company.

He was a member of the Lutheran Church at Granite City, Illinois. He also was an active member of the Men's Brotherhood of the Wellsburg Reformed Church, and on two occasions served as head usher of the church.

Survivors include his widow, Louise and three sons, Neal of Steamboat Rock, and Thomas and Wendell of Wellsburg. Also one brother Walter, of Mission, Texas, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Henry and Neal, and one brother in infancy.

--The Grundy Register/Wellsburg Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 30 October 1958, pg 10