John L Hoekstra, age 73 died on August 8, 2020 at Woodside Village after a brutal fight with sarcoma.

John was born in Northwood ND to William (Bill) and Clara Hoekstra.  He was the first of 7 children, and Big John from the start.  As a boy growing up in Northwood, he was a kid who knew how to work hard, earning money mowing lawns and bailing hay with the farmers around town.  In high school he was known to be something of a hell raiser, driving too fast and having a lot of fun with his best friends, Larry, Mike, Ritchie and Terry.

John enlisted in the Army in 1966 and served with the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam.  He earned the rank of Sergeant and was proud to be a Veteran.

In 1968, John married Carol Dietrich and became a father to Mike a few years later.  John worked as a mechanic at Krabbenhoft's in Northwood for over 20 years.  In 1985, Carol passed away, leaving John and Mike to "batch it" together in Northwood.  In 1988 John met and married Cheryl Hoff, and moved to Grand Forks where he soon became Mr. John at St. Mary's, driving the bus, working as a custodian and in general making all the things work at St. Mary's.  John met some of his dearest friends at St Mary's, and converted to Catholicism in 1998.   After working at St Mary's, he spent the last 10 years of his career working as a custodian at "Cheryl's School" aka Winship where he worked until his retirement. After his retirement, John and Cheryl were nearly inseparable, whether they were watching their shows together, going to Perkins for breakfast or taking a Senior Bus tour, John and Cheryl did most things side by side.

John was the proudest Dad and Grandpa.  He would brag loudly and frequently about "his babies" Gabe and Kasia.  He wanted everything for them, and spoiled them often.  Whether ice cream for breakfast or going to 3 movies in a week and getting all the candy, slushies and popcorn they could eat when they were little, or later on buying Gabe's first car and pulling out his wallet to give the kids "a little something", John loved being a Grandpa.  John also loved gardening, cooking and talking to people.  He was the guy who knew everyone and always had something to visit about.  He had a big laugh and a generous nature.

John will be forever missed.  He is survived by his son, Mike, daughter in law Karli, grandchildren Gabriel and Kasia Hoekstra, sisters Beth (Kim) Holmes, Connie Bahmiller, Kathy (Rick) Greener and brothers Bruce (Catherine) Hoekstra, Curtis (Darlene) Hoekstra and Richard Hoekstra.

John was proceeded in death by his wives, Carol (Dietrich) and Cheryl Hoekstra, as well as his parents Bill and Clara Hoekstra.

Memorials are preferred to St Mary's Catholic Church in Grand Forks, ND.

Graveside Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 14, 2020 at the Garden of the Evangelists Columbarium, Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.
Military Honors: Accorded by members of the American Legion Post 157, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3817 and the North Dakota Army National Guard.