Esther Jane Vant Hoff

Esther Jane Vant Hoff, age 87 of Waupun, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Monday, January 13, 2025. She touched many lives with her kindness and dedication.

Esther was born on March 3, 1937, in rural Cambria a daughter of William and Anna (Elgersma) Kok. She was united in marriage to Howard Vant Hoff on June 11, 1958, at East Friesland Christian Reformed Church and God blessed them with nearly 49 years. After Howard passed, she was blessed with a second marriage of 10 years to Newton Vander Woude.

Esther dedicated a significant part of her life to serving others. After earning her teaching degree at Calvin College, she shared her passion for learning at schools in South Holland, Illinois, Randolph, and Waupun. Her commitment to helping those in need continued throughout her career as an EMT and Licensed Practical Nurse in the emergency room at Beaver Dam Community Hospital, where she devoted 30 years of service. Furthermore, she contributed an additional 10 years as a vital member of Randolph EMS. Esther found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She enjoyed her annual getaways with her daughters, weekend trips to the Amish bakery and weekly card games with friends and neighbors. She was an avid reader and cherished the moments spent visiting with family and friends. Her faith was a guiding light in her journey; she was a devoted member of Emmanuel Waupun Church, where she formed enduring connections and offered kindness to the congregation.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Esther was a loving and devoted mother. She raised four children: John (Kathy) Vant Hoff, LuAnn (John) Reuter, Patti (Tim) Van Denend, and Randy (Gina) Vant Hoff. Each of her children carries with them the lessons of compassion and dedication they learned from their beloved mother, who was always there with a gentle word of encouragement or a warm embrace.

Esther also found joy in being a grandmother, celebrating the lives of her fifteen grandchildren, Micah (Laine) Vant Hoff, Seth (Tessa) Vant Hoff, Nathan (Lauren) Vant Hoff, Tessa (Luis) Catalan and Samuel Vant Hoff; Jared Reuter and special friend Jessica Mulder, Zachary (Sara) Reuter, Cody Reuter, and Carley (Wes) Jahnke; Dylan (Ricky) Van Denend, Anna Van Denend and her fiancé Blake Carette, Austin Van Denend and Morgan Van Denend; Andrew Vant Hoff and special friend Kaitlyn Schramer and Madelynn Vant Hoff; ten great-grandchildren, Emmie, Teddy, Henry, Ezra, Lilly and Willa Vant Hoff, Zeke and Elena Catalan, Payton Rueter and Graham Jahnke with an additional great grandchild due in July. She will be missed by her sister, Marlene Hughes; close friends, Chuck and Kathy Schlieve; further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends

She was preceded in death by her beloved first husband, Howard Vant Hoff in 2007, and husband, Newton Vander Woude in 2023. Her brothers, Roger (Joyce) Kok, Seymour (Junice) Kok; brother-in-law, Donald Hughes; in-laws, Marvin (Tillie) Vant Hoff, Ellsworth Vant Hoff, Junice (Joe) Sjoerdsma, Lucille (Ed) Kloostra and Bertha (Roy) Ter Beest.

Visitation for Esther will be held from 10:30 until 12:30 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Emmanuel Waupun Church located at 400 West Brown Street, Waupun, WI with a service to follow at 12:30 p.m. at church with Pastor Gwen Loomans officiating.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be sent to Randolph Christian School 457 Second Street Randolph, WI 53956 or Bible League 1 Bible League Plaza Crete, Illinois 60417.

For those unable to attend, a livestream will be available at https://emmanuelwaupun.subspla.sh/sdxshz5