Hilda Hofkamp, 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sept. 14, 2009. She was born in Lismore, Minn., on Dec. 24, 1921, to Peter and Johanna Prins. As a small child she moved with her family to a farm in the Leota, Minn., area where she received her education at Leota Christian School.

On Jan. 24, 1943, she married Bernie Hofkamp who was stationed in Tennessee with the U.S. Navy. After World War II, Bernie was discharged from the Navy and they moved back to Leota where they farmed and their four children were born. In 1960, Hilda and Bernie moved the family to Oak Harbor.

Hilda was a strong Christian woman who influenced and brought great joy to all. She loved her family and all those around her, she spent her life raising her children and helping with her grandkids. She loved children and loved to baby sit for others and cherished every minute of it. She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed making afghans and crocheting for her children and grandchildren. She will always be remembered for her great baking skills, playing both the guitar and organ and singing hymns.

Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Johanna Prins; brothers, Simon Prins, Gerritt Prins and Peter Prins; sisters, Johanna Van Dyke, Henrietta Kooiman, Mary Prins (who died in infancy) and one grandson, Jeff Tallmadge

Hilda is survived by her husband Bernie of 66 years; her four children, Virgil (Suzie) Hofkamp of Anacortes, Lloyd (Jean) Hofkamp of Marysville, Verna (Gary) Tallmadge of Portland, Ore., and Ron (Sue) Hofkamp of Oak Harbor; 10 grandchildren; 12 great- grandchildren; three sisters, Anne Vanderbroek and Trina Bouma, both of Minnesota, and Hattie Terpstra (Gerrit) of Arizona; four brothers, Ed Prins of California, Henry (Dorothy) Prins of Minnesota, Cornie Prins of Michigan, and John (Maureen) Prins of Iowa.

Hilda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at the First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor on Monday Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. The family would like to thank the staff at Whidbey Island Manor for the excellent and loving care given to Hilda and the family. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association of Washington, P.O. Box 4101, Bellingham WA 98221. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest registry at www.whidbeymemorial.com.