Kooiker, Wilhelmina 'Billie' (Mrs. Arthur) 1917-2000

KOOIKER, HEINER, SIEPERDA

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/1/2014 at 15:56:02

Dec 7, 2000 Sioux County Capital

Wilhelmenia Kooiker "Billie" Kooiker, 83, of Sun City, Ariz., formerly of Sioux Center and Rock Rapids, died Monday, Dec. 4, 2000, at the Montezuma Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Montezuma.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. The Rev. Dave TerBeest and Rev. Dan Haggar officiated. A private family burial was held at the Hope Cemetery in Hull under the direction of the Roste Funeral Home, Rock Rapids.

Wilhelmenia "Billie" Bernice Sieperda Kooiker was born Nov. 30,1917, in Sioux Center, the daughter of Reuben and Dina (Heiner) Sieperda. She graduated from Sioux Center Community Schools. On Jan. 6, 1937, she married Arthur Benjamin Kooiker at Sioux Center. The couple made their home in Hull before moving to Rock Rapids in 1958, where they operated the Kooiker Chevrolet, Inc. dealership of which Billie was the vice president.

She also operated an antique store known as Billie's Folly. After their retirement the couple became residents of Sun City, Ariz. Mr. Kooiker died Nov. 30, 1995. Billie continued to live in Sun City until becoming a resident of the Montezuma Nursing Center.

Mrs. Kooiker was a member of the First Christian Church in Sun City and active in women's circles. She had also been a member of the American Reformed Church in Hull and the First Reformed Church in Rock Rapids. She was a Silver Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. Billie enjoyed reading, watching sports, playing bridge and mini golf and being with her children.

Survivors include her children: Sharon Christenson and her husband Van of Edina, Minn., Arloa Hymans and her husband Nelson of Omaha, Neb., Wayne Kooiker and his wife Sue of Orange City, Rhonna Fiihr and her husband Glenn of Montezuma, Kevin Kooiker and his wife Ann of Big Lake, Minn., Lori Ellingson and her husband Mark of Pella; daughter in- law, Pat Kooiker of Marengo; grandchildren; three step grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; two step great-grandchildren; oncstepgreat-great-grandchild; sisters-in-law, Margaret Sieperda of Rock Rapids, Alberta Vermeer and her husband Henry of Pella, brother-in-law Anthony Kooiker of Holland, Mich.; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Art, an infant brother, brother Tony Sieperda, son Lyle Kooiker, infant daughter Ruth Ann and infant grandson Blake Ellingson. Memorials may be directed to the Rock Rapids Swimming Pool Fund.