Dorothy Ypma

Dorothy (Hoekema) Ypma, 91, passed away June 24, 2018, in Manhattan, Montana. She was born to immigrant parents, Otis and Sadie (Poortinga) Hoekema in Columbus, Montana, on May 20, 1927, the night Charles Lindburg made his famous flight.

Around 1935 they moved to the Gallatin Valley. She attended schools in Manhattan and graduated from Gallatin County High in 1945. She worked as a secretary at the grain lab at Montana State College (MSC) until her marriage to Albert Ypma in 1947.

They lived in Three Forks and began farming near Harrison in 1950. Mom lived in Pony, Montana, for 11 years, spent some time living near Anceney, but she loved the farm and lived there for the last 11 years. She resided at Parkhaven in Manhattan since November 2017 and left there for her eternal home in the early morning hours of June 24, 2018.

Mom was an artist in watercolor, ceramics, and china painting. She lived her faith and believed her only comfort in life and death was that she was not her own but belonged to her faithful Savior, Jesus Christ.

She leaves behind five children, Lois (John) Westra, Robert (Karla) Ypma, Gene (Ginny) Ypma, Rodney (Heidi) Ypma, and Ted Ypma; eleven grandchildren, Jill Ayers, Heidi Brocke, Shelley Ballantyne, Monte Ypma, Troy Ypma, Wade Busby, Cole Ypma, Sadie Donaldson, Stephanie Parks, Carrie Parker, and Jessica Ypma, and their spouses; and eighteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Evelyn Heys; and sister-in-law, Agnes Hoekema; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; nine siblings; grandson, Dustin Ypma; and numerous in-laws.

Memorials may be made in Dorothy's name to Back to God Hour Ministries, 1700 – 28 St. S.E., Grand Rapids, Michigan 49508.

Graveside services will be held Friday, June 29, 2018, at 1 p.m. at Harrison Cemetery followed by a celebration of her homegoing at 2 p.m. at Pony Bible Church.

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service. www.dokkennelson.com