Frieda May (Van Ess) Kooiker

   FRIEDA MAY KOOIKER, age 68, of Magnolia, passed away Monday, January 10, 2022, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage, in Luverne, surrounded by her family.  She was born June 30, 1953 in Monroe, WA to James and Alice (Roeters) Van Ess.  She was the third of eight children.  Frieda grew up on the family dairy farm.  She attended Monroe Christian Grade School, and was a 1971 graduate of Monroe High School.  Frieda attended Dordt University for two years.  It was there that she met her future husband, Harlyn.  She then attended Washington State University for one year before majoring in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Minnesota. And received her degree in 1978.
   Frieda married Harlyn Kooiker on June 21, 1975, in Monroe, WA at the Thunderbird Park in a ceremony overlooking the Skokomish River.  The newlyweds made their first home in Middleburg, IA.  In 1980, the family relocated to the current farm near Magnolia.  In the following years, they were blessed with six children, Alisa Jo, Kirk, Jimmy, Scottie, Karl and Diana in 1989.  Frieda loved her children fiercely.
   She was a dedicated dairy woman and farmer.  She was multi-talented and could do any task that needed to be done on the farm.  She was incredibly creative and loved designing, crafting, and building items for her yard and flowerbeds, as well as useful creations for the farm.
   Frieda is survived by her husband, Harlyn Kooiker, Magnolia; four children, Alisa (Jason) Honken, Ellsworth; Kirk (Amanda) Kooiker, Surprise, AZ; Karl (Sarah) Kooiker, Magnolia; and Diana Kooiker, Magnolia; mother, Alice Van Ess, Monroe, WA; four grandchildren, Andrea, Josh, Allison, Marina, and one on the way; three brothers; four sisters, along with their spouses; four brothers-in-law; and four sisters-in-law, and their spouses; and many nieces & nephews.
   She was preceded in death by her father; a son, James in 1990; an infant son, Scottie; two brothers-in-law, Dan Kooiker and George Geertsma; and a sister-in-law, Sharon Van Ess.

   Visitation will be from 2-5 pm Sunday at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. Funeral will be 10:30 am Monday at the United Methodist Church, in Luverne, officiated by Pastor Theodora Hall. Burial will be in the Kanaranzi Cemetery.

   To live stream the funeral service please visit http://www.facebook.com/DingmannFH

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