Kenneth Jon Hoekzema

Ken was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His sudden loss leaves a huge hole in his large family and he will be missed by countless people. We await the day we will see him again and take comfort in the fact that he is living with his Heavenly Father.

Ken was born on August 10, 1961 in San Diego, California, the son of a Navy doctor. He moved with his family a few times before settling in the Seattle area when he was 6, where he lived the rest of his life. His large family of three brothers and two sisters loved the outdoors – fishing, crabbing, going out on the boat with their dad, camping, and playing in the ravine behind the house.

He attended Watson Groen Christian School from 1st grade through High School. He met his future wife Carla in first grade – but they didn’t start dating until 11th grade. They were married on December 22nd, 1982. Ken and Carla lived in Brier for 30 years where they raised their two kids. They attended First Seattle Christian Reformed Church (now Shoreline Christian Reformed Church), where Ken was a deacon, and sent their kids to Watson Groen/Shoreline Christian School, where Ken was very involved – on the school board and education committee.

Ken had a deep love of fishing, growing up salmon fishing on his father’s boat and fly fishing all his life, going all over the mountain west and Alaska with his family, brothers, and close friends. Most summer weekends were either spent camping with family, fly fishing, or crabbing – or working on his vegetable garden and yard. Ken earned his BA in business from the University of Washington while starting a family. He worked hard and had his career in printing, most recently as a production supervisor at K&H printing for 12 years. Ken was a big fan of the Seattle Sounders and UW Huskies soccer and football and enjoyed watching games (and complaining about the refs). Ken and Carla loved meeting up at Cairn Brewing for a pint with their friends and kids.

Ken is preceded in death by his father and mother, Arnie and Marilyn Hoekzema, and his Aunt Marge Bernbaum. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carla, and their children: Kendra and Eric Buist, and Taylor; and grandkids, Lucas and Chloe Buist. He is also survived by his Uncle John Bernbaum, father-in-law Al Bierlink, mother-in-law Judy Corning, and many siblings and in-laws: Geri Hoekzema and Tom Brown, Dave and Tracey Hoekzema, Mark Hoekzema, Grant and Kristin Hoekzema, Karen Hoekzema and Rhonda Dixon, John Bernbaum Jr., Susan Rhea, Marilyn and Matt Rippetoe, Donna Willems, Jeff and Phyllis Bierlink, Betsy and Tom Rispens, and Anna Bierlink-Olheiser, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made in Ken’s memory to Shoreline Christian School: https://www.shorelinechristian.org/support