Kooiker, Frances (Mrs. Donald L. ) 1930-2004

KOOIKER, PALS, FABER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 2/3/2014 at 16:08:09

Sioux Center News of Aug 4, 2004

Frances Kooiker, 74, of Spirit Lake, formerly of Rock Rapids, died Thursday, July 29, at the Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake, Funeral services took place on Monday at the Oolman Funeral Home in Hull with the Rev. Kay Hooper officiating. Interment was at Hope Cemetery in Hull.

Mrs. Kooiker was born on February 18, 1930, in Hull, the daughter of Stephen and Hattie (Pals) Faber. She was raised mostly in Hull, where she graduated from the Hull High School. She then had a year of nursing training at the Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After returning to Hull, she worked in the Hull Hospital.

On February 17, 1950, she married Donald Lloyd Kooiker at Hull. They farmed at George for seven years and then moved to a farm near Rock Rapids, where they lived for 30 years. She was her husband's "right-hand lady" on the farm. She was also the nurse at the Central Lyon School in Rock Rapids.

In 1987, they retired to the Harbor on West Okoboji Lake at Spirit Lake. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake, the Lakes Art Center and the Christian Women's Association. She attended all the plays at the Okoboji Summer Theatre. She loved to laugh and always had a spirit of adventure. She especially enjoyed being with her family and also spending time with her "grand-dogs."

Survivors include her husband of 54 years; her daughter, Gayle Feekes Van Donge of Ireton and her fiance', Dennis Verpleogh; her grandson and two great-granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her brother, Conrad Faber; and two sisters, Clara Wenzel and Evelyn Lymes.

Memorials may be directed to the Hope Lodge in Rochester, Minnesota, a lodge for cancer patients and their family members fighting a lengthy battle with cancer.