Lydia Ruth (Aeikens) Hoogeveen, age 97, of Willmar and formerly of Raymond, passed away Tuesday, January 27, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Visitation began at 10 a.m. followed by her funeral service at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 6, at the Raymond Christian Reformed Church. Interment was at Holland Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Bethesda Foundation in Willmar. Arrangements are with the Tri-County Funeral Home of Prinsburg.

Lydia was born on January 19, 1929, to Fred M. and Ruth Harriet (Knight) Aeikens, on their farm in Rheiderland Township in Chippewa County. She attended country school, District 70 in Rheiderland Township, riding the family horse to school doubled with her brother, Richard. She graduated from Clara City High School in 1946. She attended Teacher Training in Montevideo and went on to teach grades 1-8 for two years.

Lydia married Harry James Hoogeveen on June 2, 1948, at the Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City. They were blessed with 6 children: James, Karen, Daryl, Gwynn, Joyce, and Jayne.

Lydia was a member of Bethany Reformed Church in Clara City and then Raymond Christian Reformed Church, where she taught Sunday School, directed Christmas Sunday School programs, was a Calvinette leader, worked with Friendship Ministries, and was active in Ladies Aide. Lydia worked as a dietary aide in the Willmar nursing home, treating residents to her homemade cookies and bars. When asked what she did there, she usually responded, “I butter toast!” She was a leader at the Homemaker’s group, volunteered at the New 2 You Thrift Store, and worked in disaster recovery with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee.

Lydia was bilingual, learning American Sign Language to better communicate with granddaughter Marie. Traveling by car to see children and grandchildren in New Brunswick, Manitoba, Alberta, South Dakota, New Mexico, Colorado, Michigan, and Minnesota were special times for Lydia and Harry.

Lydia is survived by 5 children; Karen (Dan) Andrs of Eden Prairie, Daryl (Bonetta) Hoogeveen of Willmar, Gwynn Ketel of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Joyce (Ben) Wolters of Virden, Manitoba, and Jayne (Tony) Kinneberg of Parkston, SD.; a daughter-in-law, Lois Hoogeveen of Sioux Falls, SD.; 25 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter, besides other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry in 2016; one son, James; son-in-law, Ralph Ketel; and three brothers, Matthew, George and Richard; besides her parents.