Arthur L. "Bud" Hoekstra

Arthur L. “Bud” Hoekstra, age 81, of Nelson, formerly of Shell Lake, WI passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at his home with his loving wife at his side. 

He was the son of the late Arthur and Kathryn (Cardwell) Hoekstra, born on June 19, 1943 in Chicago.

Following his high school graduation, Bud served his Country as a soldier in the United States Army, and was stationed in South Korea during the Vietnam War. He served our Nation from August 30, 1965 until his honorable discharge on August 30, 1968. After his military service, Bud began a long, successful and rewarding career on the railroad, as he stated in his self-published book, “The Life and Times of a Railroad Engineer” It was as a child, that he fell in love with trains. As an adult he got to work with them. He worked in Chicago, Superior WI and St. Paul, MN. Bud ultimately had 42 years of service working on the railroad… he is quoted, “I’ve got the best damn job in the world.”

On June 3, 2002, Bud was united in marriage to Jerrilyn A. Swenson in Hudson, WI. They resided in River Falls, Shell Lake and eventually found a home in Nelson, WI. 

Bud, as a child born in Chicago, was an avid Bears and Cubs fan. He enjoyed the outdoors fishing and birding, his model trains or spending time with friends over a cup of coffee. Bud was a highly intellectual man who enjoyed writing, which was evident in his self-published books. He and his wife enjoyed spending time traveling throughout the United States and will be remembered as a man that could make a friend where ever he went. 

Bud will be sadly missed by his wife of the past 22 ½ years, Jerrilyn; children from his first marriage, Eileen Wood and Michael Wood and granddaughter, Alie Wood-Suarez; step children, Melinda (Tony) Johnson, Eric Romanowicz; Melissa (Jim) Platson; Cody (Carly) Larson, Lucas Romanowicz, Elena Romanowicz and Tyler Johnson; 2 great grandchildren; siblings, Chuck (Jean) Hoekstra, Kathy Hoekstra (Wayne Kardatzke), Kim Lux; sisters in law, ; Lorna Neuhaus, Margaret Swenson and Lynette (Brad) Nelson; brother in law, Bob (Karen) Swenson; also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents, Bud was preceded in death by sisters, Christine Boza and Karen Hoekstra; in-laws Cyrus Swenson, Glen Neuhaus and Eileen (Verlin) Ellingson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Faith Lutheran Church in Wabasha with Pastor David Knox officiating. 

 Full military honors will be provided immediately following the service by fellow veterans of the VFW, Post 4086 and the American Legion, Post 50 both of Wabasha.