Gerben Hoekstra Obituary (1932 - 2002)

Gerben Hoekstra Brigham City - Gerben Hoekstra, 69, of Brigham City was suddenly and unexpectedly called home to his Heavenly Father Tuesday morning, June 4th, 2002 due to heart failure. The son of Willem and Yfke Wybinga Hoekstra, he was born December 6th, 1932 in Wirdum, Friesland, The Netherlands. A veteran, Gerben honorably served in the Royal Netherlands Navy. Following his service in the Navy he worked at a dairy factory in Holland, before emigrating to the United States in 1957. While in America, he reunited with his longtime sweetheart, Marijke DeVries, and they were married November 19, 1958 in Bellflower, California. He was proud to become a United States citizen in 1968. Gerben worked as a Dairy Plant Engineer in California, relocating with his wife and three daughters to Brigham City, Utah in 1973, where he took a job at Cream 'O Weber in nearby Ogden. He later worked at the Autoliv plant in Brigham City. A sports fanatic, he followed everything from international soccer to American football and basketball, often planning his days around the latest Utah Jazz game. He loved to play as well, participating in church sports for many years. Other activities he enjoyed were his daily drives with his wife, vacationing with his wife and friends, fishing with his children and grandchildren, and later in life, meeting with his weekly Bridge Club, and the occasional pilgrimage to Wendover. He was without a doubt the world's greatest Grandpa, and loved spending time with his grandkids almost as much as they loved spending time with him. Gerben is survived by his loving wife, Marijke; his three daughters and their spouses, Louise and Marc Stromberg of Brigham City, Yvonne and Corey Bronson of Plymouth, and Michelle and Nelson Phillips of Perry; as well as 17 grandchildren. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Marijke Haaiman of Holland and Altsje Sinnema of Holland; 5 brothers, Sjoerd Hoekstea of Canada, Minne Hoekstra of Holland, Jinke Hoekstra of Canada, Gochem Hoekstra of Holland, and Willem Hoekstra of Holland. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Lieuwe Hoekstra; and one grandson, Kade Gordon Bronson. Services will be Monday, June 10, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. at the Brigham City 10th Ward Chapel, 145 West 500 South, Brigham City. Friends may call on Sunday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Myers Mortuary, 205 S. 100 E., Brigham City, UT and on Monday from 10:00 to 10:40 a.m. at the Church. Interment will be in the Brigham City Cemetery. Sweet husband and father In heaven above Our thoughts of you Are forever in love We'll Love for all time - Till we meet again ServiceBrigham City 10th Ward Chapel 145 West 500 South Brigham City, UT June 7, 2002 11:00 AM CemeteryBrigham City Cemetery 325 South 300 East Brigham City, Utah 84302 June 7, 2002 VisitationMyers Mortuary - Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 June 9, 2002 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM