Leola Bleeker

Sheldon formerly of George Leola Bleeker, age 81 of Sheldon, IA formerly of George, IA died Sunday, September 21, 2014 at Sanford Hospital in Sheldon, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, September 23rd at First Baptist Church of George, IA, with Rev. Dr. Mike Hagan officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, September 22nd from 3:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of George. Leola Bleeker was born April 8, 1933 in Steen, MN to George and Lillian (Veenker) Jurrens. At an early age her family moved to George, IA where Leola graduated from high school. She continued her education at Westmar College in LeMars, IA where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Leola spent her entire professional career teaching. She began her teaching career in a country school near George and then taught at the Elementary school in George until her retirement in 1996. On June 24, 1955 Leola was united in marriage to Lemoyne Bleeker at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA. Lemoyne and Leola had three children: Linnae, Lyndon and Lori. In the year 2000, she and Lee moved to Sheldon, IA to be near family. Leola truly had the heart of a teacher. She enjoyed getting to know her students over the years and loved seeing their joy of learning. Many of her former students will remember her saying, "We should give each other warm fuzzys and not cold pricklies." She was a member of a teaching fraternity called Delta Kappa Gamma. As a young child Leola accepted Christ as her Savior. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of George, IA. Music was a big part of her life and she loved playing the piano. She had a love of reading and enjoyed board games, fishing, and scrapbooking. She also had a passion to travel with her husband; the highlight of their travels being a trip they shared to Europe. Leola cherished her husband and her family. Leola is survived by her husband of 59 years, Lee Bleeker of Sheldon; daughter, Linnae (Gregg) Maakestad of Osage, IA; son, Lyndon Bleeker of St. Louis, MO; and daughter, Lori (Bill) Jongewaard of Sheldon, IA; 11 grandchildren; 7.5 great-grandchildren; sister, Lavetta Kruger of Mitchell, SD; and other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Lillian Jurrens; and special great-nephew, Sam Kruger.