Hoeksema, Andrew

HOEKSEMA, DEN ADEL, SCHAKEL

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/21/2005 at 17:14:43

Graveside services for Andrew Hoeksema, 87, of Pella were held September 28, 2002 at the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella, the Rev. Kenneth A. Dykstra officiated. Military honors were given by the Van Veen - Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella.

Andrew Hoeksema was born on March 12, 1915 at Pella. He was the second of six children that were born to Charles and Johanna Den Adel Hoeksema. Andy attended the Pella public schools and graduated from Pella High School with the class of 1934. He then worked for Veenstra and Croll as an apprentice carpenter until they retired.

On April 20, 1941 he was united in marriage with Arloene Jane Schakel at Lancaster, Missouri and to this union one son was born, Jack L.

In May of 1942 Andy was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served with the Quartermaster as a carpenter on the Alaskan Highway and was discharged as a Staff Sargent on Thanksgiving Day, November, 1945.

Andy then started his own carpentry business in Pella, called Hoeksema Construction. His first job was helping build the Pella outdoor swimming pool. His specialty eventually became cabinet making. He and Ray Vander Wilt built many homes together in Pella until he retired at the age of 65 years.

Andy then found enjoyment in riding motorcycle with his friends for several years. One of his special friends was Tom Bloodsworth.

In May of 2001 Andy began receiving dialysis treatments because of kidney failure. He continued receiving these treatments the remainder of his life. On Thursday morning, September 26, 2002 he passed away at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella at the age of 87 years, six months and 14 days.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Arloene; their son, Jack L. Hoeksema of Pella; his two sisters: Margaret Hoeksema and Anna Mae Rus, both of Pella; his brother, Joe Hoeksema and his wife, Betty of Des Moines; another sister-in-law, Freda (Robert) Hoeksema also of Pella; a nephew, Charles Hoeksema of Pella; a niece, Lynn and her husband Dale Gilbaugh of Earlham; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents: his father, Charles Hoeksema, who passed away in 1967, his mother, Hannah Hoeksema who passed away in 1977; a brother , Dick Franklin Hoeksema who passed away in 1929 at the age of 11 years and his brother, Robert (Jeff) Hoeksema who passed away January 1, 1992 at the age of 74 years.

Andrew had been a member of the Van Veen - Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella, Iowa for 57 years.

Arrangements were handled by Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home in Pella.

Memorials may be made to the dialysis department of the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella.

The Pella Chronicle, October 11, 2002