Leonard "Shorty" Leenderts

Hills, MN                  Click Here to open the website that is broadcasting service.

     Leonard “Shorty” Leenderts age 88 of Hills, MN died Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne, MN.

     Visitation will be Monday, January 9th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the family present at Jurrens Funeral Home of Hills.

     A funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 10th at First Presbyterian Church in Luverne, MN, with Rev. Val Putman officiating.

     Burial will follow at Memory Garden Cemetery in Luverne, MN.

     Leonard “Shorty” Leenderts was born April 5, 1934, at the family farm near Ellsworth, Minnesota, the son of Abel and Rakie (Mulder) Leenderts. He was raised in the Steen, MN area and attended country school #61 through 8th grade.

     On December 30, 1956, he was married to Lois Reemts while home on leave from the U.S. Army. They were then stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. In 1958, he was honorably discharged and returned to the area after the sudden death of his father.

     During their marriage, they were blessed with four children, Alan, Lori, Kristie and David. On April 8, 2002, Shorty’s wife of 45 years died suddenly.

     Shorty married Delores (Timmer) VandeKamp on September 3, 2005.

     He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Luverne, MN and served on various church boards. He was a member of the Hills Lions Club, Hills Community Club, Rock County Farm Bureau and a 4-H Leader/supporter for many years. He served as Martin Township Treasurer for 41 years. He was a avid bowler in his younger years, active in the Men’s League and Couples League. He enjoyed woodworking, buying and selling cattle at the sale barn and most of all watching his children and grandchildren's activities. Shorty continued to be active in the farming operation and never retired.

     He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Delores Leenderts of Hills, MN; four children, Alan (Bonnie) Leenderts of Hills, MN, Lori (Tor) Boen of Luverne, MN, Kristie (Pete) Jessen of Jasper, MN and David (Dawn) Leenderts of Hills, MN; three step-children, Gregory (Denise) VandeKamp of Aberdeen, SD, Arlyn (Patti) VandeKamp of Hardwick, MN and Pam Tieszen of Luverne, MN; twelve grandchildren, Aric, Tracee, Michael, Jessica, Daniel, Timothy, Ashley, Matthew, Dawson, Donavon, Danette & Drew; five step-grandchildren, Abby, Dezarae, Drew, Darius, Dylan; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Harold (Torborg) Leenderts of Oslo-Norway; sister, Henrietta Hughes of Portsmouth, IA; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Abel and Rakie Leenderts; wife, Lois Leenderts; a sister, Reva Hoff; and two brothers, Richard and James Leenderts.

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