Steenhoek, LeRoy Edward 1921-2007

STEENHOEK, VANDER STREEK, SCHURING, VANDER WAL

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/26/2008 at 19:39:19

LeRoy Edward Steenhoek was born on October 24, 1921, at the home of his parents northwest of Pella, Iowa. He was the seventh of eleven children that were born to Hugo and Johanna Luella Vander Streek Steenhoek.

LeRoy attended country grade school near Pella and then moved to South Dakota where he worked for a short time.

In November of 1942 he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served as a telephone switchboard operator while being stationed in Hawaii and Siapan during World War II. He received his honorable discharge in December of 1945.

On January 23, 1946, he was united in marriage with Georgia Bernice Schuring. They were married at the home of her parents, Cornelius (Neal) and Carrie Vander Wal Schuring, in Pella.To this union three children were born: Judy Arlene, Audrey Jean and Dwight LeRoy.

Following their marriage LeRoy worked for a few years for Andeweg Transfer in Pella. He then became the carpet installer for Boat Furniture. LeRoy installed carpet for 36 years. He retired on October 24, 1986, at which time he proudly received a ring.

LeRoy and Georgia enjoyed their retirement years frequenting Hardee's Restaurant while LeRoy pursued woodworking as a hobby. In October of 2006 they became residents in the Long Term Care Unit at the Pella Regional Health Center in Pella.

LeRoy passed away there Wednesday noon, February 7, 2007, at the age of 85 years, 3 months and 13 days.

LeRoy is survived by his wife of 61 years, Georgia B. Steenhoek, who continues to reside in the Long Term Care Unit; one daughter and their son, two sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

Of his original family, LeRoy leaves a brother, Alfred H. Steenhoek and his wife, Doris; a brother, Reuben C. Steenhoek; his sisters-in-law: Betty (Lester W. Steenhoek) Mitchel and Mary (Dale D. Steenhoek) Vander Pol; his brother-in-law, Richard Van Wyk; and a brother-in-law, Raymond De Wit all of Pella, Iowa; along with a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Audrey J. Rozendaal, who passed away October 9, 1999, at the age of just 46 years; his parents, Hugo and Johanna Steenhoek; and the following brothers and sisters and their spouses: Lester Wm. Steenhoek, Myron and Ruth Steenhoek; a sister who died infancy; Viola M. and Warren Van Wyk; Helen J. Van Wyk; Arthur P. Steenhoek who died at the age of one year; Ruth (Reuben) Steenhoek; Clarice (Reuben) Steenhoek; Dale D. Steenhoek; a brother who died in infancy; along with a sister-in-law, Gladys (Schuring) De Wit.
LeRoy made profession of his faith at the First Reformed Church of Pella on March 28, 1943, where he later served as Sunday School Superintendent and Treasurer, Youth Fellowship leader and Care Shepherd. He was also a member of the Van Veen-Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella, Iowa.

The Pella Chronicle, March 9, 2007