Foekje was born on May 30th, 1781 in Niawier. Foekje's father was Hein Fokkes and her mother was Eelkjen Tabes. Her paternal grandparents were Fokke Heins and Sipkje Eelkes. She had a brother and two sisters, named Tabe, Foekjen and Klaske. She was the second oldest of the four children.