Esther Vander Lugt

Esther Vander Lugt, 85, of Sioux Center, IA died Saturday, August 3, 2013 at her Crown Pointe residence in Sioux Center. A visitation will be held on Monday from 4-8PM, with the family present from 6-8PM at Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 1:30PM at Lebanon Christian Reformed Church of rural Sioux Center with Todd Zuidema officiating. Interment will follow the funeral service in Lebanon Cemetery of rural Sioux Center. In lieu of flowers or gift items, the Vander Lugt family prefers memorials be directed to Hope Haven Ministries. Esther (Hooyer) Vander Lugt, daughter of Teunis and Anne (Meendering) Hooyer, was born September 27, 1927. She attended country school and graduated from Sioux Center High School. She earned her teacher's certificate from Western Union (later Westmar) and taught grades 1-8 at the neighborhood country school. Esther married Ray Vander Lugt on August 17, 1949, in Sioux Center, Iowa. They farmed together for 49 years on the same farm where Ray was born, west of Lebanon, Iowa. They raised their seven children there before retiring from the dairy business in 1998, when they moved to Sioux Center. Esther was a dedicated member of Lebanon Christian Reformed Church, where she was active in the ladies' societies and Bible studies for many years. She was known for her cooking and hospitality, and each Sunday the Vander Lugt home was filled with family enjoying meat and potatoes, homemade pies, and afternoon games. Esther had a gift for soothing babies and caring for young children and was always generous with her hugs for grandchildren and their little ones. Her home was decorated with flowers from her garden and her embroidery, and she could often be found reading books and magazines. She enjoyed life on the farm but also spoke fondly of the trips that she and Ray took together over the years. In spite of her recent struggles with memory loss and with cancer, Esther knew and loved her Lord as well as her family until the end. Her family's visits with her and their time together sharing prayers and Scripture were a comfort to her and them. Esther was a blessing to her children: Kathy and Jack Schreurs (Sheldon), Ken, Vern and Bev (Kitteridge, CO), Glenn and Vicki (Hawarden), Gail and Tom Dacken (Rock Valley), Ryan (Hawarden), and Jane Kaptein (Burlington, WA). Grandma Vander Lugt was loved by her grandchildren and their families: Leah and Todd Zuidema (Lindsey and Emily), Micah and Shannon Schreurs (Caleb, Joya, Stephen, and Elijah), John and Jessica Schreurs (Levi, Laremy, Anna, Lamont, and Liam), Joel and Jill Schreurs (Adrian, Isaiah, and Anneke), Ian Vander Lugt, Graham Vander Lugt, Mason Vander Lugt, Keaven and Erin Kane, Anna and Brad Vanden Bosch (Kade), Macie Dacken, and Elise and Molli Kaptein. Grandma will also be missed by her step-grandchildren and their families: Diane and Tom Gebhard (Jordan), Amy and Mike Chalian (Khaner), Jocelyn and Todd Wheeler (Nathan and Amberly), and Triston and Truman Dacken. Esther's loving family includes two sisters and a brother-in-law: Henrietta Sealy and Evelyn and Gerald Vreeman, as well as sisters-in-law, Dena Hooyer and Eleanor Hooyer. She will also be missed by Ray's siblings: Grace Haverhals, Lois Hooyer, Dorothy Bennette and Al and Annetta Vander Lugt; and by many cousins, nieces, nephews. Esther Vander Lugt was preceded in death by her husband, Ray; sons: Ken and Vern; grandson, Graham Vander Lugt; brothers: Mike, Henry, Albert, John and Tony; and sisters: Gertrude Hooyer, Emma Saarloos, and Anna Mae Jasper.