Hoekstra, John Rev. 1918-2002

HOEKSTRA, VANDERBLEEK, WANDSCHEER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/25/2012 at 08:32:00

Sioux Center News of April 24, 2002 p.4
John H. Hoekstra
The Rev. John Henry Hoekstra, 83, of Sioux Center died Friday, April 19, at his residence. Services were Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Central Reformed Church in Sioux Center with the Rev. Van Rathbun officiating. Interment was at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Sioux Center.

Hoekstra was born December 18, 1918, at Blomkest, Minnesota, the son of Henry W. and Anna (Vander Bleek) Hoekstra. He graduated from the Willmar, Minnesota, High School, central College in Pella and Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He married Adelaide Bernice Wandscheer at Sioux Center on August 27, 1943.

As an ordained pastor, he and his wife served Reformed churches in Lester; Stickney, South Dakota; Nooksack, Washington; Alexander; Stout; and Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. They then moved to Sioux Center, where he was minister of calling at Central Reformed Church for four years.

He was currently a member of Central Reformed Church, where he participated in all activities of the church, especially Bible studies and prayer groups. He also taught adult catechism classes. He was also a member and past president of the American Family Association, which gave him the God and Country Award for 10 years of services. He had served on the board of directors of Cutty's Resort at Lake Okoboji, and he enjoyed gardening, especially vegetables.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, James Hoekstra and his wife Bea of Ames, Paul Hoekstra and his wife Lorie of St. Charles, Missouri, and David Hoekstra of Sioux Center; five grandchildren; two brothers and their wives, Fobbie and Henrietta Hoekstra of Willmar and Harvey and Katie Hoekstra of Blomkest; a sister, Ann Dejong of Raymond, Minnesota; and a brother-in-law, Herman Damhoff of Willmar. He was preceded in death by two brothers, William and Clarence Hoekstra; and three sisters, Stella Swart, Henrietta Damhoff and Johanna Bauman.

Memorials are being directed to Central Reformed Church, Sioux Center.