Lois (Hoksbergen) Klyn, 89, of Pella and formerly of the Lynnville area, died Dec. 5, 2022. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, at Covenant Reformed Church, Pella.
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 10 children 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, NE, 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. Lois graduated from Peoria Christian School and made profession of faith at Leighton Christian Reformed Church.
When Lois was nine, she wrote a penpal letter to Alyda Kreykes Roetman from Sheldon, Iowa. The intrigue was that both girls were born on Sept. 26, 1933. That one reach-out by a little girl and her letter was the start of a sweet friendship that 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 made a life together on a 120-acre farm 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 volunteers 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
Her family includes her children Beverly (Stephen) Vos of Jackson, TN, Allen (Becky) Hoksbergen of New Sharon, and Keith (Connie) Hoksbergen of Pella; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; stepchildren: Nancy Bouwman, David (Brenda) Klyn, and Debra Klyn, all of Pella, and their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; surviving siblings: Dwayne (Audrey) Van Kooten of Denver, CO, Janice Wielard of Pella, Roger (Eileen) Van Kooten of Pella; sisters-in-law: Ruth Van Kooten of Denver, CO, Joyce Van Kooten, Gloria Van Kooten, and Lois Nadine Klyn, Theresa (Don) Bruxvoort, all of Pella. Among many others who cherish her memory are a dear penpal friend for 80 years Alyda Roetman, cousins, nieces, nephews, an uncle and aunt Marvin and Ruth Lanser of Holland, MI, and an aunt Lois Lanser of Pella.
She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law Ray and Joanna Hoksbergen; her husband Ralph Hoksbergen in 2003 and second husband Raymond Klyn in 2020; infant sister Cornelia Van Kooten; sister Cleora (Francis) De Jong; brothers Ronald, Gary, Harvey, and Wesley Van Kooten; sisters-in-law Elsie Van Kooten and Janice Hoksbergen; and brothers-in-law Kenneth Wielard, Jacob (Dorothy) Rus, Harold (Clazina) Hoksbergen, John Klyn, and Loren (Alma) Witzenburg.
