Joseph “Joe” Hoekema went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 at the age of 97.
Joe moved to the Lynden area with his family, at the age of 3, from Saskatchewan, Canada. He attended Ebenezer Christian School and graduated from Lynden High School. Joe met Alice Vander Ploeg at church and after becoming high school sweethearts they were married April 10, 1941, on Alice’s family farm before moving to a farm of their own south of Everson.
Joe worked the farm, with cows, chickens and pigs. Joe and Alice raised their four children Eileen, Cheryl, Percy and Brent, then went on to help foster care 47 children in need for over 60 years.
Joe and Alice volunteered for the American Red Cross, World Renew (formerly CRWRC) and Gideons. He was known for carrying his small Gideons New Testament Bible in his pocket from which he shared his favorite passage Philippians 1:21. Joe became a member of Everson Christian Reformed Church in 1953, serving as elder. He enjoyed traveling and watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Joe was preceded in death by wife of 73 years, Alice; great-grandson Damen Sterk; sister Suzanne Holleman and brother Eugene Hoekema.
Joe is survived by his children Eileen (Truman) Sterk, Cheryl (Paul) Roorda, Percy (Lois) Hoekema and Brent (Becky) Hoekema; 15 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren; sister Bertha Meenderinck; brother Charles Hoekema; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorials may be made to The Gideons, Whatcom Camp, P.O. Box 882, Lynden, WA 98264; or to Ebenezer Christian Schools Endowment Fund, 9390 Guide Meridian Rd., Lynden, WA 98264.
The graveside service was held at 12:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, in Monumenta Cemetery followed by a 1 p.m. memorial service in First Christian Reformed Church, 1010 Front St., Lynden, with Pastor Woodyard officiating.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
