Dorothy Ann Lay

Dorothy Ann Lay (nee Hoekman), of Saint Peters, MO, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the age of 79. Beloved wife of the late Donald Lay; cherished daughter of the late Lena and Dirk Jacobus Hoekman; devoted mother of Derek (Megan) Lay, Jon (Rachel) Lay, Donna Foppe, and Kimberly "Jill" (Doug) Brandsma; loving grandmother of Kendyl Lay, Korrinne Lay, Joshua Lay, Jonah Lay, Joel Lay, Timothy Brandsma, Aimee Brandsma, Elliott Brandsma, Vanessa Ross, and Stephanie Foppe; dear sister of Marie Van Gelder, Anthony Hoekman, Ruth Bomgaars, Martin Hoekman, Linda Woldengen, and five siblings who also preceded her in death, four brothers, John Hoekman, Peter Hoekman, Dick Hoekman, Paul Hoekman, and one sister, Helene Rush.

Dorothy graduated from Chandler High School in Chandler, Minnesota in 1964. Following graduation, she studied at Bob Jones University for two years in Greenville, South Carolina. She worked as a Dental Hygienist in Michigan for six months. Dorothy then returned to Minnesota and attended Mankato State College for a year. She taught in a combination classroom (grades three through five) in Rock Rapids, Iowa Christian School for three years. Dorothy then studied at Southwest Minnesota State University graduating with a degree in elementary education. The next year she educated fifth graders using the IGE (Individually Guided Education) method in Sisseton, South Dakota for a year. After that, she moved to Missouri and taught fifth and sixth graders in Winfield, Cainsville, Fort Zumwalt, and Francis Howell School District. She ultimately earned her master’s degree in education from Lindenwood in 1997. Dorothy was a dedicated educator for over 40 years, retiring in 2008. She was strong and deeply grounded in her faith, as a longtime attender of Calvary Church. Fun and outgoing, she never met a stranger and had a natural way of drawing people in. Dorothy was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Memorials may be made in Dorothy's name to Memory Care Home Solutions.