Donald R. Hoogeveen, 81, of Le Mars passed away peacefully on Monday, July 17, 2017 at Happy Siesta Care Center in Remsen, Iowa after a long-time battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 21, 2017 at Rejoice! Community Church in Le Mars. Rev. Ray Tilstra, Rev. John Tilstra, Rev. Howard Soehl and Rev. Mike Metten will officiate. Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at the Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2017 at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present to greet friends from 5 - 7 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral service on Friday.
Donald Ray Hoogeveen was born Dec. 24, 1935, to Albert and Jennie (Korthals) Hoogeveen of Steen, MN. While working at his first job with Larson Hardware Wholesale in Sioux Falls, SD, he was drafted into the Army in the summer of 1958. While home on furlough in December 1958, he married Inez Tilstra the day after Christmas. He was stationed in Fort Benning, Georgia, and Inez joined him in the summer of 1959, where she taught in Columbus, Georgia. Don was honorably discharged in September 1960 and the couple returned to the Midwest to begin raising their family.
Don was a talented salesman, first for Knapp and Spencer Hardware Wholesale in Sioux City and later as an insurance agent. He won several sales competitions and awards. Later, he began a roofing repair business, and in 2004 he was instrumental in opening the family car wash which is now composed of the 12th Street and Highway 75 Touchless Car Washes, both located in Le Mars.
Don was a standout fast-pitch softball pitcher in the Army, and later played on several teams in the Sioux City and Le Mars area. He pitched at a national fast-pitch softball tournament, and was well-known for his pitching until he was 42 years old. He was an active participant in Christian churches throughout his life and was a Deacon at one time. He had a simple faith that rested upon Jesus. Don was also a member of Gideon’s International. He enjoyed family fishing trips and social gatherings, traveling, playing cards, and socializing with customers at the car wash. Family and friends meant a great deal to Don. He was also really good at talking with new people and making them feel like they were long-time friends. Don will be missed by many, especially his family. The family wishes to express its gratitude to the community of Le Mars for its kindness in helping Don through his period of confusion and wandering.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Inez; children, Kevin (Ruth) Hoogeveen, Donley (Alison) Hoogeveen, Priscilla (Modesto) Handy, and Nate (Wendy) Hoogeveen; grandchildren, Natalie (Andy) Huisman, Megan (Kent) Sneller, Ashley Hoogeveen, Luke (Leah) Hoogeveen, James Handy, Cady and Payton Sullivan, Thor and Dane Hoogeveen, Roland (Mary Ann) Handy and David (Yvette) Handy; great-grandchildren, Carsten, Grady, and Sawyer Huisman, Andrew and Benjamin Sneller, Roland Jr., Roman, Sierra, David Jr., David III, and Kaitlyn Handy; brothers and sisters, Alvina (John) Hup, Alvin “Bud” (Shirley) Hoogeveen, Art (Carol) Hoogeveen, Ray (Joann) Hoogeveen; sisters and brothers-in-law, Anna Tilstra, Annie Tilstra, Arvin (Cena Mae) Tilstra, Joan Tilstra, Ferdinand (Bernice) Tilstra.
He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Fannie and Cornelius Tilstra; sisters and brothers-in-law, Fred Tilstra, John Tilstra, Cornie Tilstra, Evelyn Tilstra, Raymond Tilstra.
Memorials can be directed to the Greater Iowa Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
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