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Locals 2011: Joyce Hoekstra

Joel Reichenberger
Joyce Hoekstra, 65, can rule the pool table, a skill she picked up in 20 years as one of the owners of Golden Cue Billiards, the only pool hall in Steamboat.
Joel Reichenberger

— Joyce Hoekstra came over Rabbit Ears Pass in February 1978 into what was a long, snowy winter. She didn’t give a moment’s thought as to whether she’d still be in Steamboat Springs 33 years later — not that day or any other, she says.

With the snowmobiling and hiking, the horse riding and car racing, where was the time to worry about something like that?

“That was almost half my life ago,” she says.



Hoekstra, 65, loves to get outside and can drop an antelope with one shot. She’s plenty adapt indoors, as well, remembering all the details of the day she bowled a perfect 300. She also can rule the pool table, a skill she picked up in 20 years as one of the owners of Golden Cue Billiards, the only pool hall in Steamboat. It closed several years ago.

In her time in town, Hoekstra has put down deep roots in the community, enjoying its outdoor activities but also embracing its people.



These days, Hoekstra staffs the customer service desk at City Market. She’s only been there five years, but in one way or another, she has spent all 33 of her years in Steamboat helping people.

Much of that has come behind a counter at various jobs across town and in her time at the Golden Cue. But plenty also comes away from work, with Hoekstra always quick to lend a hand to friends in need, often doing grocery shopping or helping with other errands.

“Whenever I’ve commented on what a good person she is, she just says, ‘Well, what are friends for?’” says friend Carolyn Rule.


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