Anita Hoyt

Anita "Ricky" G. Hoyt, age 76, of Willmar, died Wednesday morning, July 27, at Rice Memorial Hospital.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, at the Assembly of God Church in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Feed My Sheep Ministries, P.O. Box 941, Willmar, MN 56201. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar. www.petersonbrothers.com
Anita "Ricky" Gaye Hoyt was born to Elmer and Esther (Bebb) Ryckman on June 3, 1940 in Southgate, California. She was their only child. She attended Downey High School where she was in Glee Club and in marching band as the Majorette. She graduated in 1958.
In 1959, Ricky met the love of her life, Bob Hoyt, when Bob filled in for his friend who couldn't make his blind date with Ricky. Bob not only took Ricky out on a wonderful date that night, but went on to marry her on November 17, 1961.
They were blessed with two children, Sherri Ann (1964) and Jeffrey Loren (1966). One of the greatest joys of Ricky's life was raising her children. Ricky was blessed to be able to stay home with the children while they were young. Ricky was very active in ministry all throughout her life. While living in California, she and Bob attended church faithfully. Ricky led women's Bible studies and was active in leading many to the Lord. Upon Bob's retirement in 2002, Ricky and Bob moved to Willmar, MN. This move allowed them to be able to be involved in the lives of their children and their seven grandchildren.
Ricky was very active in intercessory prayer groups, compassionate care, women's Bible studies and the Salt & Light Group at the Willmar Assembly of God. Ricky took a delight in small favors, such as a vase with a rose each Sunday morning in the women's rest room to preparing the décor in the Sunday School classroom. You could always count on Ricky to send a card with a handwritten note to those who needed encouragement at just the right time.
Ricky has blessed more people than she will ever know.
Ricky is survived by her husband, Robert Hoyt of Willmar; children, Sherri (and Joel) Vreeman of Willmar and Jeff (and Deb) Hoyt of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Chelsea (and Josh) Axe, Brooke and Noah Vreeman, Brea, Thomas, Ellie and Max Hoyt; cousin, Ulala White and nephew, Donald Voght.