Foekjen was born on September 5th, 1779 in Metslawier. Foekjen'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, Foekje and Klaske. She was the oldest of the four children. She died at the age of 1 in 1780.