Frances Dena Hoekstra

Frances Dena (Sipsma) Hoekstra passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at the age of 95. Frances was born on August 16, 1923 in Kalamazoo, MI the fourth and last child of Herman and Dena Sipsma. She was united in marriage to Marvin Hoekstra on November 4, 1943 for a loving 73 years. Marvin preceded her in death in 2016.

Herman and Dena owned a small farm on N. Westnedge Ave where they grew celery, sweet corn, potatoes, berries, and bedding plants. The labor was intensive and the profits small, especially during the depression. The family worked without complaint and managed to take care of themselves because there were no other options.

Frances attended Lincoln Public School and Kalamazoo Central High School. She reminded us many times that she had to walk every day from the corner of N. Westnedge and Mosel Ave.

After graduating she worked for the Upjohn Company and then as a secretary at the South Westnedge Public School. Once her children were raised, she worked in the office for Hoekstra Meat.

Frances loved living in their country home where she enjoyed gardening and walks through the woods, fishing, canoeing and watching the wildlife. Marv and Fran spent their winters in Naples, FL where they made many friends and spent time walking the beach and collecting seashells.

Fran and Marvin were members of Second Christian Reformed Church, where they were both baptized. Upon joining Parchment Christian Reformed Church, she sang duets with her friend Jeanette Nagle. Later they became founding members of Southern Heights Christian Reformed Church.

Besides Marvin, Frances was preceded in death by her son John in 2008; her sister Helen; her brothers and their wives, Ted and Edna Sipsma, and Clarence "Glen" and Irene Sipsma; her in-laws, Herman and Josephine Hoekstra, Donald and Dorothy Hoekstra, Howard "Bud" and Beverly Hoekstra, and Delores and Jacob "Deb" Van Oosterum.

Frances is survived by her brother-in-law and wife, Norman "Glen" and Hilda Hoekstra; her children and spouses, Marvin "Jerry" and Kathleen Hoekstra, Joyce and Larry Hanford, James and Lori Hoekstra, Helyn and Tom Tompkins, and Timothy and Camille Hoekstra; grandchildren, Amy (Ryan) Daggett, Mark (Jamie) Hoekstra, Mike Hanford, Kimberly (Kevin) Kruissel, Rebecca (Scott) Teimeyer, Dan (Erinn) Hoekstra, Stephanie (Colin) McAleenan, Jason Bachelder, Rachel Hoekstra, Megan Hoekstra, Lindsey Brink, Stephen (Marilyn) Brink, and John's daughters, Kristin and Heidi; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Brookdale Memory Care and Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan for their exceptional kindness.

Services will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, December 8 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. A time of food and visitation with the family will be from 11:30-1:00pm prior to the service. Private family interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. To view Fran's personalized guestbook please visit www.langelands.com.