Dick Van Hofwegen, 91, Hardwick, formerly of Pipestone, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton.
A funeral service was Friday, Dec. 27, at the Christian Reformed Church in Pipestone. Interment was at Hillside Cemetery in Edgerton.
Dick Van Hofwegen was born on July 19, 1928, to Dick and Cora (Faber) Van Hofwegen at their home near Hawarden, Iowa. During his childhood, they lived on various farms in northwest Iowa. While growing up, Dick worked for several local farmers. He continued to keep busy during the winters by working at Morrell’s Meat Packaging Plant. In the spring of 1951, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served as a corporal during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged in the spring of 1953.
On Oct. 30, 1953, Dick married Mary Gorter at the Christian Reformed Church in Pipestone. Dick and Mary made their home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, until March of 1954, when they relocated to a farm five miles south of Pipestone. In addition to farming, Dick spent time selling welders, hauling flax straw, and driving semitrailers across the country prior to his retirement in 2012. With his extra time, he loved traveling to Texas and selling his purchases at flea markets and craft shows.
Dick was a member of the Christian Reformed Church in Pipestone and was also a consistory member. He was a member of the Hardwick American Legion in Hardwick. Dick was a tinkerer and loved repurposing broken items into treasures, especially when they could be gifted to the children.
Dick is survived by his wife, Mary, of Edgerton; his children, Lawrence (Lois) Van Hofwegen of Castlewood, South Dakota, Connie (Bill) Van Groningen of Tinley Park, Illinois, Ann Sprik of Hardwick, Deedre (Joe) Sorvaag and Dixon (Lisa) Van Hofwegen, all of Houston, Texas; 13 grandchildren; 30 great- grandchildren; his siblings, Case (Albertha), Arie, John (Jessie), Herm (Joan), Mart (Bernice), Bob (Dee), Carl (Joyce); sister-in- law, Tracy Van Hofwegen (wife of Bill); and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a stillborn son; great-grandson Denver Post; his brothers, Adrian, Marinus, and Bill; and his sisters, Kryna Rozeboom and Elizabeth “Liz” Fluit.
Arrangements were provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, www.hartquistfuneral.com.
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