Hendrieka "Ricki" Hoftyzer

Hendrieka “Ricki” Eliesebeth Hoftyzer, age 69, of Rushmore MN, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Mission Regional Medical Center in Mission, TX. She was born on November 14, 1956, in Bellflower, California to Leonard and Louise (Valk) Weeda. Ricki graduated from Valley Christian High School in 1974. She continued her education at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

After 1 year of Calvin, Ricki moved back to Bellflower to marry Howard Hoftyzer on June 18, 1976. She attended a school there and received a Surgery Tech degree. She was employed at Anaheim General Hospital as a Surgery Tech and worked there until 1985. Ricki and Howard decided to move to Rushmore, Minnesota to start a life in farming after Howard’s father decided to retire from it. They attended Worthington Christen Reformed Church where in her early years she taught Sunday School. In 1987 Ricki decided to work for Worthington Regional Hospital as Surgery Tech until 1993. She then went to Worthington Community College to attain her RN degree. She continued working at Worthington Regional Hospital first as a Surgery Nurse and then retired in 2017 as Head Nurse of the Surgery Department at Worthington Sanford Hospital.

After retirement, Ricki enjoyed baking cookies, helping with the local MOPS program, attending many of her grandchildren’s sporting events, and traveling with Howard on motorcycle trips out west or along the Mississippi River. For the past 5 years Ricki and Howard spent their winters in Mission, Texas at W & I Resort where they made many new friends and enjoyed playing cards, socializing, and sitting out on their patio at night.

Ricki is survived by her husband, Howard Hoftyzer of Rushmore; child, Ryan (Larissa) Hoftyzer of Rushmore. Four grandchildren, Josiah, Hannah, Caleb, and Elizabeth Hoftyzer of Rushmore, MN. Two sisters, Nellie Beecher of San Luis Obispo, CA; and Louise (Marty) Schreur, Grand Rapids, MI; Four brothers; Jake (Linda) Weeda, Grand Rapids, MI; John (Alice) Weeda, Denver, CO; Corry (Laurie) Weeda, Temecula, CA; and Dan (Laura) Weeda, Denver, CO. She is also survived by many niece’s and nephews.

Ricki is proceeded in death by her parents; child, Mark Hoftyzer; sister, Evelyn Herndon; and brother-in-law, Bud Beecher.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 pm on Wednesday, March 11 at the Christian Reformed Church in Worthington, MN. Funeral Service will be 10:30 am on Thursday, March 12, at the Christian Reformed Church in Worthington, MN, officiated by Reverend Chad Werkhoven. Burial will be at Worthington Memorial gardens cemetery following the service.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.