Obituary of Anna Hoekstra

Anna Hoekstra, 94, Vesper, died Monday, April 2, 2012 at the Bethel Center in Arpin. Services will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, April 9th at New Hope Community Church in Wisconsin Rapids. Reverend Mary Bosch will officiate. Burial will be in the Christian Reformed Cemetery, Town of Sigel. Anna was born April 21, 1917 in Chicago, IL to the late Aldred and Nellie (Niemeyer) Schoonveld. She married William Hoekstra on February 7, 1951 in Hinsdale, IL. Anna worked for Western Electric in Chicago during her early years before Anna and William moved, farming in Southern Wisconsin before moving to the Vesper area in 1967 where they farmed for many years together. Later, she worked at Johnson Hills in Wisconsin Rapids making drapes. They celebrated 40 wonderful years together prior to William?s death on February 18, 1991. Anna was a very strong and independent woman and remained independent well into her 90?s. Anna was a woman of strong faith and prayer and instilled these values in her children along with the importance of family. She looked forward to the yearly family vacations together at the cottage and delighted in the new babies born each year. For the past 40 years, Anna volunteered at the Bethel Center helping with the church services and playing piano for the residents. She was a church organist at New Hope Community Church for many years. Survivors include her beloved children, Joanne Elgersma of Arpin, Henry (Loie) Hoekstra, New Era, MI and Nell (John) Slinkman of Vesper; grandchildren, Bill (Pat) Elgersma, Bob (Hannah) Elgersma, Sharon Elgersma, Dave (Kim) Elgersma, Holly (Lyle) Bayle, Mark Hoekstra, Lindsey (Brandon) Seaver, Jennifer (Brian) Wilhorn, Sarah (Brian) Albright and Melissa (John) Losievski; 22 great-grandchildren; sister, Pearl DeRuiter of Vesper; brother and sisters-in-law, Pete and Theresa Hoekstra and Jean Korringa; and extended family and friends. She is preceded in death by her siblings, Clarence Schoonveld, Abel Schoonveld, Henricka VanDyke, Harriet Vogel, Jennie Pankow and Helen Rowland. Friends may call at Taylor, Vollert and Jennings Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Sunday, April 9, and again at the church on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. A very special word of thanks goes to the nurses and staff of the Bethel Center for their kind and loving care of Anna and her family. Memorials may be made out in Anna?s memory and directed to either Immanuel Lutheran School (111 11th Street North, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494), New Era Christian School (1901 Oak Avenue, New Era, MI 49446) or Delevan Christian School (848 Oak Street, Delevan, WI 53115). During her life, Anna supported each of these schools for educating her children and later grandchildren and great-grandchildren.