Bernie Hoogeveen

Bernie Hoogeveen, 64 years of age, a resident of Cleveland, TX, and former resident of Natchitoches passed away Sunday, October 18, 2015 in Alexandria, LA. He was born May 15, 1951 in Sioux Falls, SD to Dutch immigrants, Weitze and Anna Heimstra Hoogeveen. Bernie moved to the Natchitoches area to work at Little Dixie Farm in Powhatan, LA, and from there he went to work at C.E. Collins and was promoted to service manager with Ag-Line which is presently known as Goldmans. Bernie loved to raise a garden and was gifted with a “green thumb”. He could grow anything. From fruit trees to landscaping, he was always able to produce the best looking produce and shrubbery. He loved collecting antiques, especially John Deere memorabilia. Always placing his family first, he was a dedicated and hard worker to be able to provide for their needs. His greatest love in life was his family. A kind-hearted and gentle man, his nieces and nephews referred to him as “Big Bear”. Because family was so important, he retired to spend time caring for his mother, when she needed him most. His generosity reached no limit. Even at death he made the gift of sight donation that would help someone in need. He will be forever missed and remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He is survived by his wife, Ramona LeVasseur Hoogeveen, children, Marc Keedy, Trevor Hoogeveen, Andrea Freeman, Amanda Keedy and her husband Daric Patrick, and Annelle Hoogeveen- Alloway and her husband Chris. Affectionately known as Grandpa Bernie, he will be missed by Boyce Brown, Cole Brown, Parker Hoogeveen, Anna Hoogeveen, Cooper Patrick, Gabe Patrick, Xavier Freeman and Matthieu Alloway. He was also survived by “Honorary” children, Alice and Lake Martin; as well as a brother, a sister and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and a sister. A time for reflection of a life well lived will be from 5 pm until 9 pm on Friday, October 23, 2015 at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches. In lieu of floral tributes the family requests donations be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 1525, Ranson, WV 25438, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to a charity of your choice.