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Mary Van Hofwegen

Lead Summary

Mary Van Hofwegen, 92, died Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton.
Mary Gorter was born on June 25, 1928, to Laurens and Antje (Oostra) Gorter in Doon, Iowa. After graduating from eighth grade, she moved to a farm near Pipestone with her family. She helped her mother care for her older invalid sister, Ruby, and continued to care for others throughout her life.
For the last 80 years, Mary was a member of the Pipestone Christian Reformed Church. Early on, she played the piano, and later taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was a part of the various women's groups of the church.
Mary met Dick Van Hofwegen in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he was stationed in the army. They were married on Oct. 30, 1953. Dick and Mary made their home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, until March 1954 when they relocated to a farm five miles south of Pipestone. In addition to farming and raising five children, Mary had various service jobs. She worked in a toy factory, bakery, various retail stores, as a police radio dispatcher, in physical therapy and served lunch in the local high school before finally retiring in 2012.
After retirement, she enjoyed traveling with Dick to Texas and selling their purchases at flea markets and craft shows. Mary was strong, kind, gracious, funny and smart. She enjoyed reading, gardening, wordsmithing, and games. She was a tough competitor and a deft strategist.
She is survived by her children Lawrence (Lois) Van Hofwegen of Castlewood, South Dakota, Connie (Bill) Van Groningen of Hudsonville, Michigan, Ancerita Sprik of Hardwick, and Deedre (Joe) Sorvaag and Dixon (Lisa) Van Hofwegen, all of Houston, Texas; 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; a stillborn son; great grandsons Denver Post and  Gauge Sprik; sisters Ruby Gorter, Ann Stevens and Rena Ford; and brothers Lawrence (Doc) Gorter, John Gorter, Clarence Gorter and Peter Gorter.
Arrangements are provided by Hartquist Funeral Home of Luverne, hartquistfuneral.com.
 (0610 F)

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