Ralph Wayne Hoekstra

Ralph Wayne Hoekstra, age 80, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on June 14, 2023. He was born in Chicago on January 5, 1943 the son of Ralph and Julia (Killoughey) Hoekstra. He graduated from Chicago Vocational High School Class of 1961. He then went to University of Illinois where he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1967. Later, Ralph took classes for industrial engineering at Rock Valley College where he eventually taught. Ralph worked as a mechanical engineer making products ranging from ice cream makers to snowplows to camping equipment. The best years of his career were his last 20 at Century Tool in Cherry Valley. He married the love of his life, Carol Stuit on September 9, 1967 in Berwyn, IL. They moved from the city to settle into small town living in Stillman Valley in 1976 and built a beautiful life together. Ralph had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel all over the world and take road trips in his RV affectionately named Big Bertha. He believed in staying active and was passionate about bike riding and skiing. He took bike trips all over the United States and Europe. He was on the Chestnut Mountain Ski Patrol for many years. He also loved to fly. When he wasn’t busy spending time being active, he enjoyed being involved in politics. He served on the village and county board for many years. He was an active member of the Lion’s club serving as treasurer and president. But more than anything, Ralph was a family man who loved being a husband, parent, and grandparent. He loved doing weekly facetime visits with his grandkids and staying involved in their lives. Ralph had a fun and caring personality who will be remembered for his witty one liners. He is preceded in death by his parents and beloved in-laws. He is survived and greatly missed by his wife, Carol of Stillman Valley; children, Robert (Rhonda Renolds) of Albuquerque, NM and Mary (Michael) Pierce of Boulder, CO; sister, Noel (Mark Albian) Hoekstra of Downers Grove, IL; grandchildren, Aaron Pierce, Nicole Pierce, Michael Hoekstra, and Lucas Hoekstra; and cousins, Donna Bird of Phoenix, AZ and Linda Jensen of Arlington Heights, IL and many close friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Stillman Valley. Visitation will be held from 12:00 – 1:00 PM prior to the service. Burial will be at Stillman Valley Cemetery. Memorials are established for Rock River Senior Center, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, and the Stillman Valley Lions Club.  

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