Cover photo for Eleanor Hooyer's Obituary
Eleanor Hooyer Profile Photo
1923 Eleanor 2019

Eleanor Hooyer

October 14, 1923 — September 18, 2019

ELEANOR HOOYER
Holland, Michigan
Eleanor Hooyer, age 95 of Holland, Michigan and formerly of Sheldon, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2019 in Holland, Michigan. Her funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 26, 2019 at the First Reformed Church; Sheldon, Iowa with Rev. Dave Van Kley ~ Officiating.
Burial with a Private family Graveside Service will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Matlock, IA.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Sept 25, 2019 from 5:00-7:00pm at Vander Ploeg Funeral Home, 724 6th Ave, Sheldon, IA.

"In lieu of flowers monetary gifts may given to the: Bethel Reformed Church Building Fund. Checks are made payable to: “Bethel Building Fund”, PO Box 403, Sheldon, IA 51201 or 604 Park St, Sheldon, IA 51201."

ELEANOR HOOYER
Eleanor Hooyer, age 95, of Sheldon, IA went to be with the Lord on Sept 18, 2019 in Holland, MI. The firstborn of five children, on October 14, 1923 to Marion and Marie (Remmerde) Kuyper on a farm outside of Sioux Center, IA. She attended a country school through 8th grade and remembered the Spelling Bee she won at school. Eleanor met Henry Hooyer at the Carmel Reformed Church youth group, which began their courtship. Eleanor said “Yes!” when Henry proposed before leaving for the Navy during WWII. Four long years later they had a home wedding and moved to Sheldon, IA. Henry started a job and Eleanor stayed at home in their motel room. One day, Eleanor walked downtown on a cold day to buy an eggbeater, determined to make a pie in their makeshift home. Throughout their 52 years of marriage Eleanor reveled in Henry’s praise of her delicious pies. Eleanor packed their belongings the day Henry came home and said he bought a farm a mile north of Matlock. As Henry and Eleanor grew into farming, they also grew of family of 4 children, Mary Ann, Robert (Bob), Evelyn (Evie) and Glenn. Eleanor’s excellent cooking, baking and gifts in hospitality drew many people to their kitchen table. Home raised beef, pork, chicken, garden vegetables and canned fruits, and of course, desserts.
Eleanor was a member of Matlock Reformed Church for many years until it closed. She is remembered for her Sunday School teaching, singing, mentoring in Girls League and faithful dependence of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Her membership changed to Bethel Reformed Church in Sheldon. She enjoyed Bible Studies, worship, and caring for others. Eleanor continued the ministry she and Henry shared of encouraging and supporting pastors. Meals, boxes of beef, sewing, babysitting, cards, listening and long-term relationships have been a consistent theme into her last days. Financial scholarships for Western Seminary students in Holland, MI were always accompanied personal relationships. Eleanor continued the legacy of financial generosity, which began early in life with her husband, Henry. Eleanor’s love for music was compelling. She taught herself to play organ and piano using the hymnbook and Henry loved listening to her play. Mom’s strong alto voice gave her opportunities to sing in choirs, duets, trios, and quartets. While family sang favored hymns at Eleanor’s bedside, she had a smile on her face as she sang along. Sewing, knitting, crocheting, appliqueing, and Dutch dolls provided Eleanor’s creative outlet for enjoyment, busy hands, quality clothing for her family and beautiful gifts to share with many friends, families and people in need.
In her elderly years Eleanor was animated, full of inviting laughter, an encourager and mentor in faith, and faithful in prayer. She enjoyed meeting people and others were attracted to her delightful spirit. Eleanor found her strength in God alone through the hardships of loss as she mourned her husband, Henry Hooyer; son, Robert Hooyer; granddaughter, Christiana Murphy and son-in-law, Mark Vander Meer.
Her 3 children, 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, her 3 siblings and those who called her friend and sister in Christ will carry within them the ripples of Eleanor’s love.
Three children survive Eleanor. Mary Ann (Hooyer) Wierks, Holland, MI along with her husband, Bruce, 2 children and 9 grandchildren; the 2 children of Robert Hooyer, Springfield, MO; Evie (Hooyer) Vander Meer, Frederick, MD, along with her 2 children, and 2 grandchildren; Glenn Hooyer, Sioux Falls, SD, his wife, Sue (Hovdeness) and their 2 children.
Eleanor’s surviving siblings are Millie (Kuyper) Wassenaar, Orange City, IA; Marilyn (Kuyper) Rensink, Sioux Falls, SD; Herb Kuyper, Sioux Center, IA. [Deceased is Anna Mae (Kuyper) Dykstra, Hull, IA]
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eleanor Hooyer, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

Vander Ploeg Funeral Home - Sheldon

724 Sixth Avenue , Sheldon, IA 51201

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Service

Thursday, September 26, 2019

11:00 - 11:45 am (Central time)

First Reformed Church

1101 7th St., Sheldon, IA 51201

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