Hoekstra, Claire E. "Pudge" 1929-2005

HOEKSTRA, DEBRUYN, HUFF, SNYDER, MYERS

Posted By: Debbie Nash - Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/3/2005 at 22:53:10

Claire E. "Pudge" Hoeksra
May 02, 2005

Claire E. "Pudge" Hoekstra, 75, of Richland, died at 1:22 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2005, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City due to complications following surgery.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Richland United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Kim Gates and the Rev. Peggy Egbert officiating. Burial will be in Richland Friends Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post No. 504.

Visitation will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at Gould Funeral Home in Richland.

Mr. Hoekstra was born Oct. 13, 1929, in Galesburg, the son of Andrew and Clara DeBruyn Hoekstra. He married Helen Huff June 2, 1951, in Richland.

He grew up in Richland. He graduated from Richland High School in 1947 and from Parson College with a bachelor of arts degree in 1951 in Fairfield.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany.

Mr. Hoekstra returned to Richland and operated Hoekstra Brothers Grocery with his brother Don until 1967 when he became the sole proprietor. He retired in 1990.

He was a volunteer to many community organizations including the Richland Commercial Club, Masonic Lodge No. 38, American Legion Post No. 504, Pekin Community School Board and the Richland City Council.

He was a member of Richland Christian Church.

Survivors include his wife, Helen; two sons, Bill Hoekstra and wife Jan of Cedar Rapids and Thomas Hoekstra of Richland; two sisters, Ann Snyder of Richland and Melba Myers of Missouri City, Texas; and three grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, infant, Robert, and Donald R. Hoekstra and LaVerne J. Hoekstra.

Courtesy of the Fairfield Daily Ledger Inc. 2005