- Date Of Birth: September 26, 1933
- Date Of Death: December 5, 2022
- State: Iowa
Before being known as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, Lois would say she is a child of God. She lived her days coram deo, before the face of God, knowing always that she was not her own, but belonged body and soul, in life and death to her faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.
Lois Jean Van Kooten was the eldest of ten children that were born to Gerrit and Durky (Lanser) Van Kooten. Lois nurtured a lifelong bond of companionship with her brothers and sisters.
When Lois was nine, she wrote a pen pal letter to Alyda Kreykes Roetman from Sheldon, Iowa. The intrigue was that both girls were born on September 26, 1933. That one reach-out by a little girl and her letter was the start of a sweet friendship that has flourished for 80 years.
Those who knew Lois know how she delighted in growing lovely gardens with full arrays of bright and colorful blossoms. It was a Sunday afternoon tradition to walk around the gardens with her. Lois also skillfully tended to large vegetable gardens, strawberry beds, and fruit trees. Her family was well-provided for by a pantry and freezer full of preserved food.
Ralph and Lois moved to Oskaloosa in 1980. There the years were filled with the treasures of grandchildren, family, and friends. Lois made sure that their home had an open door where she received everyone with open arms. Hospitality was her gift. The coffee was on and goodies were always at the ready.
For many years, Lois did private housekeeping and joined with a dear friend and work companion, Rachel Fynaardt, in cleaning offices. Also, at this time Ralph and she began traveling, often with friends.
Grandchildren added another dimension to their lives. Lois loved a house full of kids. Together the children played dress-up and with toys, went on outings, enjoyed the Mahaska County Fair, and delighted in her decorated cake creations for birthdays, graduations, and holidays.
In fall of 2002, Ralph became ill with cancer. Lois so faithfully and tenderly cared for him. Shortly after celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary, he passed away in April of 2003.
Lois took her calling of teaching her children and grandchildren to walk in the way of the Lord seriously. Her continual prayer was that from generation to generation all would know Jesus as their Savior. Her love for the Lord was also manifest in other ministries. She was a charter member in establishing the Peoria Christian Willing Workers School Circle. She and Ralph were Faithline volunteer for the Back to God Hour. She supported the Bible League and participated in Bible studies.
God blessed and established the work of her hands. Throughout life Lois acknowledged Him in all her ways; she walked obediently and earnestly before His face. She was kind, vibrant, energetic, resourceful, and fun-loving. Even as dementia took its toll, Lois dealt bravely and calmly, always believing the promise of the God to whom she belonged. “. . . He will be with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.
Soli Deo Gloria
Family:
Beverly (Stephen) Vos, Jackson, Tennessee
Grandchildren:
Matthew (Lisa) Vos, Pella, Iowa
Great Grandchildren:
Carter
Alexis
Camela (Bill) Johnson, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Great Grandchildren:
Molly
Maddy
Kylie
Brynna (Bart) Spain, Nashville, Tennessee
Great Grandchildren:
Luke
Benjamin
Great Grandchildren:
Caleb
Zachary
Levi
Taylor (Shannon) Vos, Knoxville, Tennessee
Great Grandchildren:
Henry
Abigail
Allen (Becky) Hoksbergen, New Sharon, Iowa
Grandchildren:
Ryan (Jenny) Hoksbergen, Pella, Iowa
Great Grandchildren:
Caleb
Laina
Curt (Nikea) Hoksbergen, Bayard, Nebraska
Great Grandchildren:
Ty
Larin
Brenn
Clint (Lacy) Hoksbergen, Potter, Nebraska
Great Grandchildren:
Anna
Davis
Stuart
Mary
Edward
Kelli Hoksbergen, Pella, Iowa
Katie (Gary) Burnett, Henderson, Kentucky
Great Grandchildren:
Callie
Adeline
Russell (Heather) Hoksbergen, San Antonio, Texas
Great Grandchildren:
Samuel
Hadley
Josie
Declan
Heather (Timothy) Clemens, What Cheer, Iowa
Great Grandchildren:
Kylie (Grant) Clark
Great Great Grandchildren:
William
Max
Rory
Hanna Acord
Great Great Grandchildren:
Quinlee
Jenna Acord
Trevor (Maddie) Clemens
Mandy Clemens
Great Great Grandchildren:
Tucker
Heidi (Jeff) Powers, Delta, Iowa
Great Grandchildren:
Madysen Leonard
Macie Leonard
Ryleigh Leonard
Colton (Jessie) Powers
Brady Powers
Hillary Elko, Bellevue, Nebraska
Great Grandchildren:
Tayler (Ken) Lawrence
Great Great Grandchildren:
Luka
Jordon
Becca
Billie (Blaine) Stout, Lovilla, Iowa
Great Grandchildren:
Cloee
Great Great Grandchildren:
Nickolas
Harlee
Keith (Connie) Hoksbergen, Pella, Iowa
Brandilyn (Josh) Asplin, Pella, Iowa
Great Grandchildren:
Hannah Nunnikhoven
Riley
(Baby Girl arriving January 2023)
Susan (Beau) Pierson, Ankeny, Iowa
Great Grandchildren:
Scarlett
Brittney (Joey) Santiago, Stanton, Kentucky
Taylor (LuAnn) Anderson, Altoona, Iowa
Great Grandchildren:
Harper
Elsie
Wesley (Taylor) Hoksbergen, Cantonment, Florida
Great Grandchildren:
Blair
Lois also leaves Ray’s children: Nancy Bouwman, David (Brenda) Klyn, and Debra Klyn, all of Pella, and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
She is survived by her siblings: Dwayne (Audrey) Van Kooten, Denver, Colorado, Janice Wielard, Pella, Ruth Van Kooten, Denver, Colorado, Roger (Eileen) Van Kooten, Pella, Joyce Van Kooten, Gloria Van Kooten, Lois Nadine Klyn, Theresa (Don) Bruxvoort, all of Pella. Among many others who cherish her memory are Alyda Roetman, cousins, nieces, nephews, an uncle and aunt, Marvin and Ruth Lanser, Holland, Michigan, and two aunts: Junella Lanser, Denver, Colorado, and Lois Lanser, Pella.
Preceded in death by:
Parents Gerrit and Durky Van Kooten, parents-in-law Ray and Joanna Hoksbergen, her husband Ralph Hoksbergen in 2003 and second husband, Raymond Klyn in 2020, an infant sister, Cornelia Van Kooten and Cleora (Francis) De Jong, Elsie Van Kooten, Kenneth Wielard, Ronald Van Kooten, Gary Van Kooten, Harvey Van Kooten, Wesley (Junella) Van Kooten, Harold (Clazina) Hoksbergen, John Klyn, Jacob (Dorothy) Rus, Loren (Alma) Witzenburg, and Janice Hoksbergen.
