Obituary for David ‘Dave’ Hoekema After living with cancer for 8 years, David (Dave) Hoekema passed away in West Richland, WA on May 16, 2018. Dave was born on June 8, 1925 to Otis and Sadie (Poortinga) Hoekema in Columbus, MT. The family moved to Manhattan, MT when Dave was eight years old.
Dave attended Manhattan Public Schools but was always happiest when he was not in the classroom. He would often tell stories about the times he and his friend, Shad, skipped school and would hop the train to ride to Logan or Three Forks along with the hoboes. By the time he was twelve years old, he was expected to find employment to help support his family.
His first summer job was digging ditches for a new sewer line in Manhattan, and he always remembered the immense sense of accomplishment he felt when he brought home his first paycheck. He later took the initiative to hitchhike to Trident to secure a job at the cement plant. In 1943 Dave enlisted in the US Navy.
He received basic training in Farragut, ID followed by additional training in communications in Moscow, ID and then shipped out on the Azalea City, a merchant ship converted to a troop carrier for use in the Pacific theater during World War II. The ship was dispatched to New Guinea and the Philippines where he served as a radio operator. After the war ended, Dave attended Montana State College.
He met the love of his life, Agnes (Aggie) Flikkema, at the train depot in Bozeman, MT. When he inquired about her age, she impishly replied: “Sweet sixteen and never been kissed! ” They were married on March 7, 1949 and were blessed with five children: Ardyce, Donna, Charles, Dale and Lola.
They were happily married for just over 69 years. Dave worked in the parts department at Kamp Implement Co. until he and his brother, Pierre, decided to become partners and start their own service and repair business, Churchill Garage, in 1956. During the twenty years that followed, the business transitioned to an agricultural implement business, Churchill Equipment Co., selling and servicing farm equipment manufactured by Minneapolis-Moline, Oliver, Owatonna, White, Massey-Ferguson and many other accessory lines.
After twenty years of growth and expansion, Dave sold his interest in the business to Pierre’s two sons, Ron and David, and retired. He served on the Manhattan Christian School Board and the Amsterdam School Board, and was always a willing volunteer for community events and fundraisers. He enjoyed restoring old cars and playing pool and checkers.
He also took great pride in maintaining his landscaping and keeping his garages and shops neat and tidy. He and Aggie enjoyed designing and building new houses, spending winters in Arizona, and traveling to visit friends and family. Dave’s Christian faith was an important part of his life.
Dave and Aggie enjoyed meeting and sharing fellowship with new Christian brothers and sisters in the churches they attended. “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations”. Psalm 100:5 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of David ‘Dave’ Hoekema please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Funeral 2018 JUN 3. 03:00 PM Hillcrest Memorial Center 9353 West Clearwater Avenue Kennewick, WA, US, 99336 info@hillcrestmemorialcenter.com hillcrestmemorialcenter.com Order Flowers for the Funeral Service Guaranteed delivery before David ‘Dave”s Funeral Service begins.
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