Melinda Kay Hoekema, 55

Melinda Kay Hoekema, 55, passed away on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, at her home in Newman Lake, Wash.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, in Coffelt’s Funeral Chapel with Pastor Kurt Bubna officiating. Interment will take place at Pinecrest Memorial Park with immediate family following the service.

Melinda was born on November 3, 1963, the daughter of Charles and Alta Vincent in Twin Falls, Idaho. The family moved to Sandpoint, Idaho in 1976. Melinda graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1982. After high school Melinda attended the University of Idaho for a semester before transferring to Spokane Community College where she earned her associate degree in medical billing.

Melinda would meet her husband, Mark Hoekema, in Sandpoint, Idaho where they would later marry on June 22, 1985. They were happily married for 34 wonderful years. She worked as a receptionist at Deaconess Medical Center, an office manager at Spokane Cardiology, and for the next 10 years she was a financial coordinator for Dr. Higuchi, an oral surgeon.

Melinda loved to run; she would accomplish five to six half marathons each year. Melinda was also very proud that she completed the Portland Marathon in 2010. Melinda was very social and dedicated to her faith. She loved hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and the outdoors. Melinda cherished and loved her family and her grandson, Ezra, who was the light of her life. She also loved her puppy Mac and her grand-animals, Hank, Harvey, and Hallie.

She is survived by her husband Mark; son Bryce (Laura Pike) Hoekema of Spokane, Wash.; daughter Emily (David) Sieck of Spokane; three sisters, Cherie (Brett) Moore of Sandpoint, Lori (Jim) Eddings of Sagle, Idaho, and Janine (Bob) Lichty of Cocolalla, Idaho; a brother, Curtis Vincent of Twin Falls, Idaho; sister-in-law Nadine (Dan) Campbell of Kootenai, Idaho, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Charles and Alta Vincent; and sisters-in-law Sally Vincent and Nita Harper.

Family and friends are invited to sign Melinda’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to Eastpoint Church in Spokane, Wash., c/o the Melinda Hoekema Memorial Fund dedicated to women’s outreach.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.