Joan Ruth Hoitink

Joan Ruth Hoitink, 91, of Cedar Grove, died on Tuesday June 17th at The Classic at Hillcrest Greens in Altoona, Wisconsin, where she resided the past 8 months.

Joan was born on February 28, 1934 in Cedar Grove, the daughter of the late Lester and Jeanette DuMez. She graduated from Cedar Grove High School in 1952 and then attended Sheboygan Business college. On February 18, 1956, she married Garret J. Hoitink in Cedar Grove. She initially worked as a medical secretary for a surgeon group in Sheboygan, then was a stay at home mom while she raised her four children. She is also fondly remembered by many for her years as a secretary at Cedar Grove High School.

Joan was a lifelong member of Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Cedar Grove, where she sang in the choir and participated in many women’s activities. She loved music, especially four part harmony and sang with the Sweet Adelines group for a number of years. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing and studying her bible. Her greatest joy, however, came from spending time with her family and supporting each one through their lives. She also enjoyed getting together with club friends and classmates. Joan will be greatly missed and will be remembered for her simple life, quiet integrity and sincere kindness to all.

Joan is survived by her four children: Terry (Kay) Hoitink of Rogers MN, Laurie (Mike) Wensink of Eau Claire WI, Sandy (Dan) Zelm of Sheboygan WI and Randy Hoitink of Hudson WI. Seven Grandchildren: Aaron (Megan) Hoitink, Andrew (Megan) Hoitink, Christopher (Kara) Wensink, Chad (Helienna) Wensink, Paula (Tom) Molosky, Jenna Zelm and Holly Hoitink, and multiple great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sister-in-laws: Neva Walvort of Sheboygan Falls, and Shirley Hoitink of Cedar Grove.

She was preceded in death by her husband Garret in 2013, her parents, her brother Carl DuMez, four brother-in-laws; William Van Wyk, Walton Walvort, Willard Veldman and John Hoitink. She was also preceded in death by three sister-in-laws, Ethel DuMez. LaVern Veldman and Evelyn VanWyk.

A funeral to celebrate Joan’s life will be held at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Cedar Grove on Tuesday August 5, 2025. Burial will take place in a private family service at Hingham Cemetery in the Town of Lima at a later time.

Family and Friends may greet the family at Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church from 10-11:30. The funeral service will start at 11:30 in the sanctuary.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund is being established in Joan’s memory for Calvary OPC and Campus Life in Sheboygan.