Noordhoek, Paul 1943 - 2021

NOORDHOEK, HOEKMAN, SCHNEIDER, REEKERS, WILDEMAN, AYALA, ELLIOT, DUNCOMB

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/13/2021 at 15:59:09

Paul Noordhoek, 78, of Cresco, IA passed away on August 5th, 2021 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is survived by his loving wife Gladys Elaine Noordhoek (Hoekman) of Cresco, IA, his sisters
Wilma Schneider of Rock Valley, IA; Margaret Reekers of Sheldon, IA; and Greta Wildeman of Sheldon, IA; His children Emillia Noordhoek, Jonathon (Vicki) Noordhoek, and Roger (Mariana
Ayala) Noordhoek; His grandchildren Alexander Noordhoek, Jeanette (Avery Elliot) Noordhoek, Victor Noordhoek, Carolyn (Joe) Duncomb, and Hunter Noordhoek; His great-grandchildren Ruby and Amber Duncomb and also by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and their spouses.

He is preceded in death by his son Jason Paul Noordhoek, his daughter Melissa Jo Noordhoek, his parents Tony (Teunis) and Josie (Johanna) Noordhoek, his brothers Bernard (Bernie) Noordhoek, Gerry Noordhoek, Gerry’s first wife Deana Noordhoek and Gladys’ parents, Martin and Thelma Hoekman.

Paul was born June 14, 1943, in Sibley, Iowa, the youngest of six children, a proud son of Dutch immigrants. Although raised in rural Iowa, his heart was full of adventure and curiosity and found an equally adventurous soul in the love of his life, Gladys. Paul joined the civil service right out of college and his first job was teaching on the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. During his 35 year career, Paul with his wife Gladys and their children made many places their home- Mountain Home, ID; Las Vegas, NV; Cheyenne, WY; Zaragoza, Spain; Berlin, Germany, and retiring to Cresco, IA for the past 17 years. Yet wherever Paul and Gladys landed they embraced each community with open arms, with warmth and generosity, freely sharing their table with those who needed nourishment, whether a hot meal or thoughtful conversation.

Paul was much more than his career and volunteered through his many interests and joys, one of which was to play Santa Claus. He began his career as ‘Santa’ for a group of Russian children who were being hosted at Tempelhof Airforce base - he was a natural- so he continued that tradition in Cresco with Gladys playing Mrs. Claus with costumes that she hand-made. He also volunteered with the Boy Scouts in Berlin and once retired in Cresco he was able to devote himself to woodworking where he volunteered to teach 4-H kids in Cresco.

He was very active during his last years at Nellis AFB in youth bowling, making lifelong friends and encouraging his youngest son’s love of the sport, which would eventually become his
career.

Paul was easy to know and love. He had a great and rascally sense of humor, loving to joke around with his friends and family. He made the best Christmas cookies ever. He was a man of deep faith and a loving husband. He was wise and respected. He was a much-beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. A faithful friend, he will be dearly and truly missed every day.

The family invites friends and family to remember Paul and celebrate his life. Services will be held at Greenleafton Reformed Church, 15502 County Road, Preston, Minnesota 55965 on
Saturday, August 14th, 2021. The visitation will begin at 1 pm, with the funeral service at 2 pm. Following the service, there will be time for fellowship and reminiscence with refreshments. A short interment service will be held in Sheldon, Iowa on the afternoon of August 16th, 2021 at 1 pm.

In lieu of flowers, Gladys requested donations for the Caribbean Christian Center for the Deaf, a ministry that Paul cared for deeply. The ministry provides education opportunities for deaf
children in Jamaica. Please address your gift to Greenleafton Reformed Church, with CCCD on the memo line of your check. It can be sent to Gladys, or the church directly: Greenleafton Reformed Church, 15502 County Road, Preston, Minnesota 55965. Thank you for your kind memorial gift.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database