Hoeksema, Klaas (1881-1968) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Klaas Hoeksema was born on September 22, 1881 in the Netherlands. As a young man, Hoeksema immigrated to the United States and settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Hoeksema first worked at a greenhouse where he developed a life-long appreciation for nature and flowers. He soon accepted a teaching position at Williams Street Christian School of Kalamazoo in 1905. He went on to teach at Muskegon, Michigan; Roseland, Chicago; Ebenezer, Chicago; and Munster, Indiana.

In 1921 began to teach at Englewood Christian School in Chicago. Only after one year of teaching, Hoeksema accepted the role of principal, a position he held until his retirement in 1946. His passion for teaching even extend outside of the classroom, he taught catechism at the Frist Christian Reformed Church of Englewood every Saturday for 31 years. Even after retirement he continued to do substitute teaching.  Hoeksema held the role of secretary of the Christian Principal's Club for many years.

On September 7, 1968 Klaas Hoeksema passed away due to a short illness in Oak Lawn, Illinois.