Irma Ruth Hoogheem, 95, of Fulton, IL, died Sunday, March 24, 2024, at Big Meadows Nursing Home in Savanna, IL.
Irma was born on February 20, 1929, in Albany, IL, the daughter of Ralph and Gertrude (Vogel) Brondyke. She attended Albany schools and graduated from Fulton High School. Irma married Dwight Hoogheem on June 28, 1949, in Albany. They made their home in Fulton, where Irma was a homemaker. In addition to caring for her family, she served with her husband for 26 years as Custodian at the Second Reformed Church in Fulton (presently Crossview Church.) The endeavor was a family affair, to ensure the facility was in “Dutch Clean” shape for Sunday services. In addition to serving as Custodian at her church, she served with the Willing Workers and the Harbor Crest Auxiliary.
Irma is remembered as a kind and gracious lady. She had a quiet, gentle faith that was exemplified by the way she raised her children and treated other people. She enjoyed visiting with family, friends, and neighbors; she loved having people over for coffee, backyard picnics, and Sunday night visits. She also enjoyed sewing, cake decorating, embroidery, crystal and Delft collecting, jigsaw puzzles, and word searches. She and Dwight enjoyed traveling; they first pulled a camper exploring the U. S. with family. Later, with friends, they traveled to more exotic places, including walking the Great Wall of China and riding elephants in India. In later years, she volunteered at the Windmill Cultural Center’s Gift Shop.
Survivors include her daughters, Pam Innis of Springfield, IL, and Penny (Sam) Lubben of Chattanooga, TN; sons, Darrell (Rita) Hoogheem of Oskaloosa, IA, and Dan (Linda) Hoogheem of Mohawk, NY; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; sisters, Doris Vandermyde of Morrison, IL, and Marcia (Gerald) Meinsma of Morrison; sisters-in-law, Elma (LaVerne) Sterenberg of Fulton, Carol Hoogheem of Ogden, KS, and Sally Hoogheem of Manchester, NJ.
In addition to her parents, Irma was preceded in death by her husband of almost 69 years on May 2, 2018; sister, Lois Norman, and a sister in infancy, Darlene; brother, Robert Brondyke; beloved granddaughter, Colleen Hoogheem.
A Visitation will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., at the McDonald Funeral Home in Fulton, IL.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home.
Burial will follow at Fulton Township Cemetery, Fulton, IL.
Memorials may be made in her memory to Crossview Church in Fulton, IL, De Immigrant Windmill and Fulton, IL, Windmill Cultural Center, or the Alzheimer’s Association.