Hoekstra, Theodore "Ted" 1924-2024

HOEKSTRA, DEBOER, VANMAANEN, HEIDSMA, VANLEEUWEN

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/6/2024 at 15:13:51

Mr. Theodore “Ted” Hoekstra, age 99, of Hull, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024, at Sioux Center Health.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Monday, March 4, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, at the Hull Protestant Reformed Church in Hull. A prayer service will take place on Tuesday, March 5, at 10:00am, at the church, followed by interment at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, at 11:00am, at the church with the Rev. Stephan Regnerus officiating. The Oolman Funeral Home in Hull is in charge of arrangements.

Ted was born on October 23, 1924, on a farm near Sheldon, one of eleven children born to Peter M. and Florence (De Boer) Hoekstra. He grew up in rural Sheldon and Boyden, where he attended county school and helped his father farm.

He was united in marriage to Mina Van Maanen on December 30, 1947, in Hull. They briefly made their home in Bellflower, California, until returning to Northwest Iowa and eventually settling on their own farm southeast of Hull in 1962. Ted was a diversified and successful farmer, raising crops, dairy cows, cattle, hogs, and chickens. In 1989, after retiring from farming, he and Mina moved to a home in Hull. Together they enjoyed traveling and looked forward to spending their winters in California. Mina passed away on February 4, 2005, in Pomona, California, after more than 57 years of marriage.

Ted continued to make his home in Hull, where he lived at the Homestead Cooperative. On December 29, 2007, he was married to Harriet (Heidsma) Van Leeuwen. Together they lived part of the year in Hull and part of the year in Visalia, California. In 2020, they both became residents of Crown Pointe Estates in Sioux Center, where Harriet passed away on July 5, 2022, after more than 14 years of marriage.

Mr. Hoekstra was a long-time member of the Hull Protestant Reformed Church. He served on various community organizations and was a frequent volunteer at Justice For All in Rock Valley; regularly repairing clocks that had been donated. He also spent countless hours repairing caned furniture for family and friends. An avid golfer, Ted enjoyed many rounds with friends and family and continued playing well into his nineties. Ted was perhaps best known by all for his gentle, humble spirit; joyfully serving others whether family, friends, or someone he just met. He embodied servant leadership through his interactions with all, and earnestly sought to cultivate a personal relationship with each one of his many grandchildren.

He will be deeply missed by his seven children and their spouses, Marilyn and Loran Te Grotenhuis and Phyllis and Leon Uittenbogaard, all of Hull; Charles and Kathy Hoekstra, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Peter and LaVonne Hoekstra, of Sioux Center; Tim and Judy Hoekstra, of Chino, California; Everett and Cathy Hoekstra, of Urbandale; and Elaine and Kelly Ensz, of Tea, South Dakota; 28 grandchildren; 68 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; four step-daughters and their husbands, Leanne and James Bonnecroy, of Orange City; Michelle and George Rispens, of Pixley, California; Jacqueline and Henry Van Maanen, of Doon; and Julie and Hans Wilting, of Meadowbank, Prince Edward Island; 9 step-grandchildren; 10 step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Florence “Flossie” Brunsting, of Rock Valley; and Dorothy Mulder, of Ontario, California; and three sisters-in-law, Christine Van Maanen and Lois Van Maanen, both of Rock Valley; and Jane, and her husband, Henry Hoksbergen, of Hull; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by a grandson-in-law, Mike Tietgen; a great-grandson, Noah John Hoekstra; two sisters and their husbands, Eunice and Gerrit Brummel, and Bernice and Bert Van Maanen; six brothers and their wives, Martin and Stella Hoekstra, George and Greda Hoekstra, Donald and Margaret Hoekstra, John and Nelva Hoekstra, Peter and Sharon Hoekstra, and Henry and Hilly Hoekstra; six brothers-in-law, Ray Brunsting; Alvin Mulder; Roy Van Maanen, and his wife, Grace; Tom Van Maanen, and his wife, Gerdena; Ed Van Maanen, and his first wife, Lyda; and Harold Van Maanen; and a sister-in-law and her husband, Ella and Andrew Meendering.

Memorials will be given to Justice For All in Rock Valley.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.