Dorothy Rus

Dorothy was the fourth of seven children born to Ray and Johanna (Van Haaften) Hoksbergen, on May 17, 1935, on a farm northeast of Leighton, Iowa.   She was baptized at Second Christian Reformed Church in Pella.  Her father bought a farm northwest of Taintor and the family moved there in April of 1937.  They became members of Peoria Christian Reformed Church.  The family moved to 906 East Second Street in Pella when she was a senior in high school.  She made public profession of her faith at Second Christian Reformed Church on May 23, 1953.

She attended Lynn Grove #7 Country School, Peoria Christian School, and graduated from Pella Christian High School in May, 1953.

Dorothy had several jobs after high school: working for her father on the farm, hoeing tomatoes, and bookkeeper and store clerk at Farmer's Union Coop.  Her favorite job was being a telephone operator at Fowler Telephone until dial phones came four months later.  She began working as a nurse's aide at Mercy Hospital Clinic in Oskaloosa.  She continued there till she became pregnant with David. 

For fun she started playing softball for the Rus Auto softball team.  She met her future husband, Jacob Rus, while he was serving as a chauffeur for the team.

Jacob and Dorothy were married on October 4, 1957, at Second Christian Reformed Church.  They bought their first house at 504 East Second Street and while living there were blessed with three children, David, Barbara, and Robert. 

On October 23, 1965, the family moved to a small 80-acre farm south of Pella.  Many family memories were made there.  This place later became known as Rustic Acres.  

In January, 1994, Jacob and Dorothy moved to an acreage southwest of Pella, where they were living when Jake died on November 24, 1996.  She continued her hobby of feeding birds and bird watching. 

In December, 2009, she moved to Midtown Homes Apartments in Pella, where she was currently living. Dorothy loved children and was a stay at home Mom.  She enjoyed entertaining nieces and nephews and later her grandchildren.  She was excited to learn she would be becoming a great-grandmother. 

She faithfully attended Pella Christian High School home basketball games for over 40 years.  In 2013, the girls team participated in the state tournament and Dorothy was recognized as a model of sportsmanship for Pella Christian High.  She liked to be outside and continued to mow lawn at Rustic Acres until she was 82 years old.

She faithfully visited others and sent notes of encouragement. She was a Crossroads Bible Institute instructor for 15 years, ending in February of 2020.  She was a member of the Christian Fellowship Hour at her church.  She was a Charter Member of the Pella Community Hospital Auxiliary beginning on January 9, 1961.  She volunteered to serve at the Nursing Home birthday parties from 1987 to 2017.  She was a member of the Pella Christian Grade School Mother's Club and belonged to the Pella Christian High School Ladies Auxiliary with her Mother who was a Charter Member. 

Dorothy passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House on Monday evening, April 13, one day after Easter, at the age of 84 years.

Family:

David and Mary of Des Moines, Iowa

            Michelle, Jonathan, Christie, Alicia, Megan

Barbara and Nick Bush of Pottstown, Pennsylvania

            Elizabeth (David Meck), Andrew, Jonathan (Lenore), Kathryn

Robert Rus of Pella, Iowa

Dorothy is also survived by her siblings:  Lois Klyn and Theresa Bruxvoort.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jacob, her parents Ray and Johanna Hoksbergen, and her siblings: Ralph Hoksbergen, Harold Hoksbergen, Alma Witzenburg,  and Janice Hoksbergen.

A family graveside service will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, April 17, at the Oakwood Cemetery in Pella. Family must stay in your car at the cemetery. The service will be live-streamed from the Garden Chapel Facebook page. 

A public memorial service will be held at a later date after the current health situation clears.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.