Raak, Arthea (Mrs. Kenneth) 1933-2023

RAAK, HULSTEIN, JUFFER

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/7/2024 at 14:52:52

Arthea Yvonne (Hulstein) Raak, age 90, of Worthington passed away at home on December 20, 2023.

Arthea was born July 26, 1933, at Sioux Center, IA to Henry & Alice (Juffer) Hulstein. She was raised on a farm near Sioux Center. She graduated from Sioux Center High School and continued her education at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA. She began her teaching career for three years in a one room school and continued her education in summer schools and teaching for several years in public schools in Iowa and Minnesota.

On June 11, 1957, Arthea married Kenneth W. Raak in Sioux Center, IA. They lived at Brookings for two years as Kenneth earned his pharmacy degree and she served as periodical librarian at SDSU. They spent their first years of married life in Sioux City, IA and Orange City, IA before moving to Worthington, MN. Most of their married life was spent in Worthington except for 6 years in Rock Rapids, IA, where they owned and operated Bruggemann’s Pharmacy and Gift Store. In addition, Arthea started a head start program and a nursery school.

Moving back to Worthington in 1973, Arthea was involved in beginning many programs. She taught childcare and development at Prairie Lakes Vocational School and served as director for Early Childhood and Family Education. She loved working with young children and taught for 25 years.

Arthea began a 32-year realtor career at Krekelberg Reality and progressed to realtor and owner of Caldwell Banker. She was one of the first women realtors in the region and received numerous accolades for salesmanship and served as President of Southwest Board of Realtors. She always said, “I loved both of my jobs and never hated to go to work.”

Arthea highly valued her Christian faith, and it influenced every aspect of her life. She was a member of the American Reformed Church where she served on local, regional, and denominational boards. She taught Sunday School, sang in the choir for over 60 years, and was involved in Reformed Church Women (RCW).

She enjoyed being a member of the 20th Century Club, Worthington Hospital Auxiliary, Chamber of Commerce, and served on the New Dawn Board of Directors. Arthea lived life to the fullest, enjoying numerous card clubs, following sports and local music, spending time at the lake house and traveling worldwide with her husband. Her home was a community hub, hosting many people including college students, city workers without housing, exchange students, foster children, and relatives. Arthea especially loved time with family and her precious grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Arthea is survived by two children, Daniel Raak of Spirit Lake, IA and Tami (Michael) Wesselink of Worthington, MN; five grandchildren Alyson (Timothy) Bents of Sioux Center, IA, Matthew Wesselink of Sioux Falls, SD, Sarah Raak of Spirit Lake, IA, David Raak of Spirit Lake, IA, and Andrew Raak of Bismarck, ND; four great-grandchildren Isaiah, Lauren, and Johanna Bents, and Safira Allen; one brother Rodney (Sylvia) Hulstein of Sioux Center, IA; one sister-in-law Harriet Kroese of Orange City, IA, and many nieces and nephews who were very special to her.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Kenneth Raak, her parents Henry and Alice Hulstein; her two brothers Gerrit R. (Louise) Hulstein and Arthur Hulstein.

To God be the glory for the life and memories of Arthea Yvonne Raak.

Visitation will be 5-7 pm Wednesday, December 27 at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington; and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Funeral will be 10:30 am Thursday at the American Reformed Church, in Worthington, officiated by Pastors Alan Salwei & Lorna Lavitt. Burial will be in the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Worthington.

Source: Dingmann Funeral Home online obituary.