Marvin Hoekstra

Marvin Gerritt Hoekstra, of Gobles, MI passed away peacefully in his sleep Monday morning, November 21 at the age of 93. Marvin was born on April 24, 1923, in Kalamazoo, the second son of Maynard and Christine (Brondyke) Hoekstra. He was united in marriage to Frances Sipsma on November 4. 1943 for a loving 73 years. Marvin was drafted into the United States Army in 1942. After completing basic training he was accepted by the Army Air Corps and sent to Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. After completing his course work but before starting flight school he and his classmates with infantry training were assigned back to the infantry and sent to Europe to fill the urgent need for ground troops. Marvin was on the front when the German army overran his 78th Lightening Division on December 16, 1944. The unit suffered 85% casualties in what became known as "The Battle on the Bulge;" He was wounded and awarded as Purple Heart. In March of 1945 they were among the first American troops to cross the Rhine River over the Remagen Bridge and onto German soil. After the war, Marvin joined his father and two of his brothers at Hoekstra Meat Company where he was president from 1964 until his retirement in 1991. Marvin loved to play Chess; he was a champion player at Kalamazoo Central High School. He also loved to sing, which he did for many years with "The Singing Crusaders." He also loved fishing and softball. He was a devoted Christian and was both a deacon and an elder at Parchment Christian Reformed Church, and served many terms as an elder at Southern Heights Christian Reformed Church and at Second Christian Reformed Church. He was a generous supporter of the Kalamazoo Christian Schools; many needy families had their tuition paid but never knew who paid it. Marvin was preceded in death by his son John; his brothers and their wives: Herman and Josephine, Arthur (in infancy), Donald and Dorothy, and Howard and Beverly, and a sister her and husband: Delores and Jacob Van Oosterum, his in-laws: Helen Weber, Ted and Edna Sipsma, Clarence "Glen" and Irene Sipsma He is survived by his wife Frances, his brother and sister-in-law Norman "Glen" and Hilda, his sons and their wives: Marvin Gerald and Kathleen, James and Lori, Timothy and Camille; his daughters and their husbands: Joyce and Larry Hanford, and Helyn and Tom Tompkins. Grandchildren: Amy (Ryan) Daggett, Mark (Jamie) Hoekstra, Mike Hanford, Kimberly (Kevin) Kruissel, Rebecca (Scott) Teimeyer, Dan (Erinn) Hoekstra, Stephenie (Collin) McAleenan, Jason Bachelder, Rachel Hoekstra, Megan Hoekstra, Lindsey Brink, Stephen (Marilyn) Brink, and John's daughters Kristin & Heidi; also 13 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 1:30pm Saturday, November 26, Fred De Young of the Second Christian Reformed Church officiating. Friends may meet the family from 12:00-1:30 prior to the service. Private burial was in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Special thanks to the staff of Brookdale Memory Care and to the nurses of Hospice of Southwest Michigan for exceptional kindness. Memorials may be made to The Singing Crusaders. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street.