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. Whether it be frequent Monday lunches, a monthly Pizza Ranch meal, or the annual weekend meeting in Kearney, Nebraska, the siblings cherished times together in visits and game-playing. During Lois's childhood years the family lived on farms near Sully, (where she was born and baptized at the Sully Christian Reformed Church) New Sharon, and Leighton, Iowa. Lois graduated from Peoria Christian Grade School and made profession of faith at the Leighton Christian Reformed Church.

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.

Lois fell in love with Ralph Hoksbergen, a young man she met at church. After his discharge from the United States Army, Ralph and Lois married in March of 1952. And so, Lois was welcomed into another large family, whom she loved deeply. For 28 years Ralph and Lois farmed near Taintor. Their three children, Beverly, Allen, and Keith, enjoyed growing up there. For Lois, the years of rearing her young children were some of the best. She writes in her diary of the joy in gathering around the table where Keith had wise cracks, Bev always chattered, and Allen was never full. (Allen frequently had three servings of her delicious meals much to his mother's delight.)

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. How they enjoyed seeing the beauty and culture of new places—Europe, South America, Hawaii, Alaska, and other locations across the United States!

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 then moved to Pella and became involved in community activities and life at her new church home. There she met Raymond Klyn and they married in October 2009. Ray and Lois enjoyed companionship, some travels, and sharing joy in their respective family circles—Lois's grandchildren developed a fondness for their Grandpa Ray. In September 2020 Ray passed away.

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

Thomas (Sarah) Vos, Medina, Tennessee

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

Thomas

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.

Pella Christian High School Tuition Assistance Fund
Pella IA

Gideons International Faith Fund