Van Rees, Leonard J. 1938-2006

VAN REES, KINGMA, KRUSEMAN

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 7/31/2006 at 19:54:40

SULLY — Leonard J. Van Rees, 68, of Sully, died of cancer Tuesday, June 13, 2006, at Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella.

A funeral service was Friday at Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully with the Rev. Jack Fray officiating. Burial was at Sully Cemetery. Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home in Pella handled arrangements.

Memorials may be designated to Sully Library or Sully Christian Grade School.

The son of Clarence and Elizabeth (Kingma) Van Rees, he was born Jan. 17, 1938, in Sully. He attended Sully Christian Grade School in Sully and graduated from Sully High School in 1956. During high school, he participated in basketball. On April 14, 1960, he married Jenice Ilene Kruseman at Sully Community Church in Sully. He was employed by Sully Cooperative Exchange and began driving truck. He drove for Sully Transport Inc. for nearly 30 years. On Dec. 7, 1998, he sustained disabling injuries that necessitated his retirement.

Mr. Van Rees enjoyed southern gospel hymns and was fond of John Deere tractors. He enjoyed coffee time with his friends and learned to cut quilt blocks with the Ruth Circle of Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully, where he was a lifetime member. He was a member of Sully Library Board and enjoyed reading. Most recently he learned to ride a three-wheeled bicycle, which he enjoyed.

Survivors include his wife; three daughters and sons-in-law, Karla and Ron Graham of Des Moines, Carol and Jeff Bakeris of Runnells and Karen and Randy Rice of Lynnville; seven grandchildren; and a sister and brother-in-law, Betty Ann and Norman Schuring of Sully.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The Newton Daily News, Monday, June 19, 2006

Leonard Joe Van Rees was born on January 17, 1938 in Jasper County at Sully, Iowa. He was the first of two children that were born to Clarence and Elizabeth Kingma Van Rees.

Leonard attended the Sully Christian Grade School in Sully and graduated from the Sully High School with the Class of 1956. During high school, Leonard participated on the basketball team. Leonard grew up without a father as his father had drowned at Lake Keomah near Oskaloosa, Iowa, when Leonard was 4 years of age. As a young lad his Uncles shared responsibilities in raising him and he then shared responsibilities with Gilbert and Joyce Bandstra and their children on the farm.
On April 14, 1960 he was united in marriage with Jenice Ilene Kruseman, a daughter of the late Milo and Vera Van Wyk Kruseman, at the Sully Community Church in Sully. To this union three daughters were born: Karla Jo on June 9, 1961, Carol Diane on July 3, 1964 and Karen Kay on April 22, 1968. Following his marriage Leonard was employed at the Sully Cooperative Exchange and then began driving truck.

A trucker at-heart, he drove for Sully Transport, Inc. for nearly 30 years and on December 7, 1998 sustained disabling injuries, which necessitated his retirement. But Leonard still maintained a pleasant spirit. He had always appreciated Southern Gospel hymns and was fond of John Deere tractors. He continued to enjoy coffee time with his many friends and learned to cut quilt blocks with the Ruth Circle at the Sully Christian Reformed Church in Sully where he had been a faithful lifetime member.

Leonard was a member of the Sully Library Board and later found enjoyment in reading. Most recently he learned to ride and enjoyed riding his three wheeled bicycle.

Leonard was diagnosed with advanced cancer the last week of May, 2006 and passed away early Tuesday morning, June 13, 2006, at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House in Pella, Iowa. He attained the age of 68 years, 4 months and 26 days.

Leonard is survived by his faithful wife, Jenice, their three daughters and their husbands and seven grandchildren that he cherished. They are: Karla and Ron Graham of Des Moines, Iowa and their two children: Christina Ilene and Lucas James; Carol and Jeff Bakeris of Runnells, Iowa and their three children: Taylor Elizabeth, Samuel Jeffrey and Benjamin Joseph; Karen and Randy Rice of Lynnville, Iowa and their two daughters: Miranda Elizabeth and Cori Rianna. Of his original family Leonard leaves his sister, Betty Ann and her husband, Norman Schuring of Sully, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents: his father, Clarence Van Rees, who passed away on August 28, 1942 and his mother, Elizabeth Van Rees, who passed away on November 18, 1994 following a nearly 30 year residence in a care facility due to multiple sclerosis.

The Pella Chronicle, July 6, 2006