August 6, 1932 – July 29, 2022

A Celebration of the Faith and Life of Peter Cornelius Hoekman

Peter Cornelius Hoekman was born on August 6th, 1932, in Martin, SD to Dirk and Lena Wynia Hoekman.  In 1934 the family moved to a farm near Slayton, MN.  Pete grew up on the farm that had been in his family since 1934 and he attended Country School and Chandler School.  Pete made his profession of faith on April 2nd, 1950, at the First Reformed Church in Slayton.  On June 15th, 1953, Pete was drafted into the United States Army.  Following his honorable discharge on May 16th, 1955, he returned to the family farm.  On February 3rd, 1956, he and Viola Mae Eernisse were married at the First Reformed Church in Slayton.  Following their marriage, they farmed the family farm.  God blessed Pete and his wife Viola Hoekman with three children.  Gregory (fiancé Diane Holter) Hoekman of Volin, SD, Lori Carlson, Slayton, MN, James (wife Heather) Hoekman, Hadley, MN, five grandchildren, Leslie Michael Hoekman, Heather (Tony) Mayer, Shanon Carlson, Bryn Hoekman and Bryce Hoekman, one great grandchild, Viola Jean Hoekman.

Pete was a farmer, welder, machinery fabricator and raised cattle.  In 1985 Pete suffered a severe heart attack but God miraculously spared his life and he continued to share his faith and was an inspiration and blessing to many.  Pete was a faithful member of the First Reformed Church and served as deacon, elder, catechism teacher, young people’s advisor, Sunday school teacher and on several committees and participated in several church projects.  He also served on the Murray County Shipping Association and was Clerk of the Country School for many years.  He and Viola hosted five Japanese summer homestay students through a church sponsored program and went to Japan twice to visit former students.  He was a loving, devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.  We treasure his steadfast faith in God and his love to our family.  He enjoyed talking with people, helping the elderly and physically challenged and encouraging young people.  In March 2021 Pete moved into Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda.  Pete moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton in June 2022.  He peacefully passed away there surrounded by family on July 29th, 2022, at the age of 89,.  As Pete would say “The best is yet to come”.  We are grateful to God for having shared his life and look forward to that great day when we shall be together forever with the Lord.  May God comfort us in our present grief.

Pete is lovingly remembered by his wife Viola and their family.  Two brothers, Anthony (Marcella) Hoekman, Edgerton, MN, Martin (Irene) Hoekman, Slayton, MN, four sisters, Marie Van Gelder, Newport, OR, Ruth Bomgaars, Spring, TX, Dorothy Lay, St Peters, MO, Linda (William) Woldengen, St. Charles, MO, two sisters-in-law, Karen Hoekman, Salem, OR, Janet (Roger) Meyer, Ham Lake, MN.  He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Dirk, Paul and John Hoekman, one sister, Helene Rush, one sister-in-law, Grace Hoekman and four brothers-in-law, Mert Bomgaars, Pat Rush, Donald Lay, Sid Van Gelder.

Funeral Services were held at First Reformed Church in Slayton, MN on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Aaron Punt officiating.  The organist was Joan Frises with special music by Mike and Aleida Helgeson.  The pallbearers were Perry Payton, Jeff Grieme, Tony Mayer, Bryce Hoekman, Eugene Bloemendaal and Grant Bomgaars.  Interment at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN.  Military honors accorded by the Slayton American Legion Post.