Robert Ray Hoekstra

Ocheydan, IA 

     Robert Ray Hoekstra age 77 of Ocheyedan, Iowa died Thursday, April 11, 2024, from a brief illness, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

    Visitation will take place Wednesday, April 17th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home in Ocheyedan.

     A funeral service will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 18, 2024 at CrossWinds Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa, with Rev. Kurt Trucksess, officiating.

     Burial will follow at Ocheyedan Township Cemetery.

     In lieu of flowers, memorial may be directed to the Jesus Film or Samaritan's Purse in memory of Robert Hoekstra.

     Robert Ray Hoekstra was born January 7, 1947 in Sioux City, Iowa.  He was adopted, when he was a few months old by his parents, Harry and Sadie (Bosma) Hoekstra.  He grew up on a farm North of Harris, Iowa. Robert attended Ocheyedan Christian Grade School.  He graduated from Harris Lake Park High School in 1965.  After high school he attended Dordt College, graduating in 1969.

     Robert was united in marriage to Ruth Memmelaar on March 8, 1969, in Oskaloosa, Iowa.  Together they raised two sons, Joel Andrew and Justin Rene’.

     They lived in Prairie City, Iowa, where Robert was a teacher for Prairie City Christian Grade School. They moved to Meno, Oklahoma.  Robert taught at a Mennonite boarding school.  Between his teaching careers, he worked for Ruth’s father at Lost Creek Coal Company, near Oskaloosa, Iowa.  Robert ended his teaching career while teaching at a Baptist boarding school in Stanzel, Iowa.  When students wanted to learn bookkeeping he volunteered. He studied a few lessons ahead of the students.  Robert found his gifting, and decided to make accounting his career.  While working at Thompson Grocery in Harris, Iowa, he took classes in accounting and computers.  From there he found employment at the Coop Elevator in Ocheyedan.  He worked there as a bookkeeper for 33 years.

     Robert was a member of CrossWinds Church in Spirit Lake for 30 years.  Many of those years were spent helping with AWANA.  Bible study with his Life Group was something that was very important to him.  He volunteered at Cherished Again in Milford, Iowa, where he was known as the “puzzle man”.  Robert enjoyed singing in quartets, and while in Oskaloosa, Iowa, was part of The Gospel Singers men’s chorus. He had a passion for acting. He had roles in the Main Street Players in Ocheyedan, Iowa. One of his memorable plays was “The money in Uncle George’s Suitcase”  He had the leading role, which was an accomplishment for him.  He also played the part of a pharisee in “The Community Passion Play” for 31 years.  

     One of his lifelong aspirations was involvement in mission work.  This brought him to such places as India, China, and Ukraine.  For eight years, Robert was part of a team that attended a Discipleship Camp, where they worked with high school and college age students.  He also traveled to Mexico to help build churches, and assisted with natural disaster clean-up efforts in Galveston, and New Orleans.

     He spent most of his family vacation time over the years, attending the Okoboji Bible Conference ,where he sang in the choir for many years and attended many of the activities associated with the conference.

     His family will remember him as a loving husband, and father, that always enjoyed his hugs.  He was a man of integrity, steadfast, forgiving and loyal. He passed on his love for reading. His thirst for knowledge, and his intellectual curiosity were observed by those who knew him well.  Robert collected lighthouses, antique books, Wysocki jigsaw puzzles, and loved to read Christian Mystery & Suspense novels.  He enjoyed playing games, especially the game “Risk” with his sons.  Many will remember him for his one-of-a-kind shirts and his chocolate chip cookies.

     Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 55 years, Ruth; sons Joel Andrew of Omaha, NE and Justin Rene’ of Minneapolis, MN;  brother Larry (Samantha) Hoekstra of Ocheyedan, IA; sister Gretta (Duane) Nomansen of Canistota, SD; sisters-in-law, Betty Whitson of Ottumwa, IA; and Linda (Keith) Vos of Boerne, TX; honorary  grandchildren: Natalie, Caleb, Adrianna, and Ethan Carlson of Batesburg, SC; sisters Marilyn (Dick) Lauer of St. Paul, MN; and Pearlene Martenson of Bellevue, NE; along with many extended family and friends.

     He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Sadie Hoekstra, birth mother Orvillene Berg and sisters Beth Pranger and Sharon Mousel.