Mount Pleasant – Elizabeth (nee: Helu) Hoogenhout, age 84, passed away peacefully, surrounded with the unending love of family, late Monday evening, May 18, 2020.

Elizabeth was born in Nuku'Alofa, Tonga in the South Pacific on September 16, 1935 to the late Viliami and Nanisi (nee: Jameson) Helu. Years later, it was in Tasmania, Australia while visiting relatives, she met a handsome young man from Holland by the name of Jan Gerdinus Hoogenhout. They were united in marriage on February 7, 1959. They shared 61 glorious years of love together.

Elizabeth served as a first generation hospital nurse until she met Jan. Following, while sharing Jan's passion for baking & cooking, she became a master cake decorator. They owned & operated various bakeries throughout the world. In recent years, Elizabeth & Jan (of whom are Canadian residents) retired to Tonga, spending 6 months of the year in Tonga with their son Chris, and 6 months between their other two children's residences in the US. Born with an artistic eye, Elizabeth was fabulous at crafts, sewing, crocheting & gardening. Above all, family was her everything!

Surviving are her loving husband, Jan "Gerry"; their children, Christopher Hoogenhout of Tonga; William (Jayme) Hoogenhout of LaGrange, GA; and Corine (fiancé, Tim Krenzke) DeGroot of Mount Pleasant; her beautiful granddaughters, of whom followed in Elizabeth's as third generation nurses, Jordan Hoogenhout & Tiah (Jordan) Lee; step-grandsons, Andrew & Jacob DeGroot; and many other dear relatives worldwide from the USA, Australia, New Zealand & Tonga – too numerous to mention all by name.

Services celebrating Elizabeth's life will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 6:00 pm with Rev. Verlan Van Ee and (Pastor of Kenosha Christian Reformed Church) along with Pastor Henry Perez officiating. You can witness the live stream service at https://youtu.be/psc0IF6I2B8 . Public visitation will be in the funeral home on Friday from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Interment will take place at the family cemetery in her native island of Tonga. Memorials to Kenosha Christian Reformed Church or to Operation Outpour have been suggested.

In accordance with Racine County mandate, only 50 people will be allowed to enter the funeral home at a time.  You may be required to wait outside until others leave the building.  For the safety and security of our guests we also require those in attendance to wear a face covering.  We thank everyone for their understanding and cooperation during this difficult time.

Service Details

Services celebrating Elizabeth's life will be held at Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 6:00 pm with Rev. Verlan Van Ee and (Pastor of Kenosha Christian Reformed Church) along with Pastor Henry Perez officiating. You can witness the live stream service at https://youtu.be/psc0IF6I2B8 . Public visitation will be in the funeral home on Friday from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Interment will take place at the family cemetery in her native island of Tonga.

In accordance with Racine County mandate, only 50 people will be allowed to enter the funeral home at a time.  You may be required to wait outside until others leave the building.  For the safety and security of our guests we also require those in attendance to wear a face covering.  We thank everyone for their understanding and cooperation during this difficult time.