Tami Rae Hoekman, 59, of Tulare, SD, passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.  Visitation will be from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 19, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, SD.  Family will be present to accept condolences.  A prayer service and time of sharing will follow at 4:00 p.m.

Her funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 20, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Redfield.  Pastors Todd Bowers and Ron Parker will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Crandon Cemetery in Tulare.

The funeral service will be live-streamed to the funeral home's website, below Tami's obituary.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home. (www.hykefuneralhome.com)

Tami Rae Heidinger was born May 7, 1962, in Mitchell, SD to Gordon and Ardis (Johnson) Heidinger. She spent her childhood and youth on the family farm in Stickney, SD.  She attended school and graduated from Stickney High School in 1980.

On June 19, 1981, Tami married Larry Hoekman at Harrison, SD and to this union, two children were born, Christopher and Glenn.  Eventually, the family moved to Tulare and worked for a local farmer.  Later, Tami attended Northern State University and received her bachelor's degree in teaching.  She taught at the Glendale Colony for 17 years.  She most recently worked at New York Life as an administrative assistant.

As a young couple, Tami and her husband would travel with other couples on the weekend going to dances. She loved to dance and didn't hesitate to dance with anyone.  She loved to collect coins, bears, play card games, and work on puzzles.  Tami was known as a woman with a great attitude as she was always upbeat and pleasant.  She had an amazing work ethic.

Grateful for sharing her life are her husband of 40 years, Larry, of Tulare; and children: Chris Hoekman of Brookings, SD, and Glenn (Angela Kelly) Hoekman of Aberdeen, SD.  She is also survived by three grandchildren: Cambree, Allie, and Daryn; brother Ron (Lori) Heidinger of Corsica, SD; sister Barb (Larry) Schoenrock of Stickney; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

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Thanks to the participants in Tami's service:

Clergy:

Pastor Ron Parker

Pastor Todd Bowers

Special Music:

Organist ~ Mickey Harms

Onilee Siebrecht

Soloist ~ Pastor Ron Parker

Pallbearers:

Tom Tomsha, Phil Gilbert, Tyler McLain,

Rob Stephenson, Brett Binger, Tanner Binger

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